"I never joke when on duty. Come along with me. You c'n talk afterward.
Your hirelin' is in jail an' he c'n identify you; so don't resist."
"Wait a moment, sir. What is the charge?"
"I don't know yet. You know better'n I do what it is."
"Look here, Mr. Crow. You arrested me the first time I ever saw you, and
now you yank me up again, after all these years. Haven't you anything
else to do but arrest me by mistake? Is that your only occupation?"
Anderson sputtered indignantly. Driven to it, he informed John Barnes
that he was charged with kidnaping, attempted murder, polygamy, child
desertion, and nearly everything else under the sun. Barnes, at first
indignant, finally broke into a hearty laugh. He magnanimously agreed to
accompany his captor to Tinkletown. Not only that, but he provided the
means of transportation. To the intense dismay of the servants, he
merrily departed with Mr. Crow, a prisoner operating his own patrol
wagon. The two were smoking the captive's best cigars.
"It's mighty nice of you, Mr. Barnes, to let us use your autermobile,"
said Anderson, benignly puffing away as they bowled off through the
dust. "It would 'a' been a long walk. I'll speak a good word fer you fer
this."
"Don't mention it, old chap. I rather enjoy it. It's been uncommonly
dull up here. I did not get away as soon as I expected, you see.
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