He had scarcely alighted upon the other
side when his eyes fell upon the disreputable figures of
two tramps stretched out upon their backs and snoring
audibly. Burton grinned.
"You two sure can go to sleep in a hurry," he said.
One of the men opened his eyes and sat up. When he
saw who it was that stood over him he grinned sheep-
ishly.
"Can't a guy lie down fer a minute in de bushes wid-
out bein' pinched?" he asked. The other man now sat up
and viewed the newcomer, while from either side Bur-
ton's companions closed in on the three.
"Wot's de noise?" inquired the second tramp, looking
from one to another of the intruders. "We ain't done
nothin'."
"Of course not, Charlie," Burton assured him gaily.
"Who would ever suspect that you or The General
would do anything; but somebody did something in
Oakdale last night and I want to take you back there
and have a nice, long talk with you. Put your hands
up!"
"We--."
"Put 'em up!" snapped Burton, and when the four
grimy fists had been elevated he signalled to his com-
panions to search the two men.
Nothing more formidable than knives, dope, and a
needle were found upon them.
"Say," drawled Dopey Charlie.
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