CHAPTER XV
THE OLD FARMER'S SECRET
"An escaped convict!" shouted one of the hired men.
"He's been looting the upper rooms of the house, and has carried off a lot of clothes he wants to put on to hide his striped suit!" cried the old farmer.
"And he set the house afire to cover his work!" echoed Frank, the thought coming into his mind like an inspiration.
"Chase after him, fellows!" shouted Ralph.
The excitement, which had died down after the fire was gotten under control, now sprang into new life. Everybody was jumping about, the women and girls uttering little shrieks of alarm, the men growling threats against the daring scamp who would burn a house down with as little compunction as he might light a pipe.
"Come on!" shouted Frank, as he darted off.
His two chums were close at his heels, and a
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