"
"Well, this is Mr. Brown from Syracuse," explained Mr. Button. "A
gang of bank robbers got into one of the vaults there some time
ago and got away with a large number of bonds. Mr. Brown was
detailed to find and catch the thieves if possible."
As Mr. Button ceased speaking the interest and excitement of the
boys at once increased.
They looked eagerly at one another and at Mr. Brown, who now
assumed an importance in their eyes, which before he had not had,
even when they believed him to be a false claimant to the bond
which they had found on board the Black Growler.
"Are you a detective?" inquired John, turning to Mr. Brown as he
spoke.
"I don't speak of myself in that way," replied Mr. Brown, "and
yet--"
"That's what he is," interrupted Mr. Button "He already has run
down and found most of the bonds."
"How did that one come to be on our boat?" inquired Grant.
"Why, I had it in my pocket," laughed Mr. Brown, "and I put it
under the cushion for safe keeping. You see, I joined that crowd
and they thought I was one of the canal-men. I was with them for
ten days at least and finally I found out what I wanted to know."
"Were they the bank thieves?" asked George eagerly.
"Some of them," replied Mr. Brown. "They were strangely mixed up.
In fact that is one of the tricks they have, I am told. When a
bank is broken into if the men are successful they scatter so
that no two are in the same locality.
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