Three persons were in sight, and hurrying along toward the house.

One of these he recognized as his chum, Thad, who must have returned from Hobson's mill-pond earlier than he had expected.

Another was the tall, attenuated Chief Wambold; and the party whom he was gripping by the arm--yes, it was none other than Hugh's late visitor, Nick Lang! "Oh, they've caught him, it seems, just like those awful police did poor, wicked Jean Valjean," Hugh muttered, thrilled by the sight; "and right now they're fetching Nick back here, to ask me if he wasn't lying when he said I'd sold or given him my skates!" He realized that, undoubtedly, by some strange freak of fortune Thad must have seen the other gloating over his prize; and recognizing the skates, for they were well-known to him, he had beckoned to the policeman who happened to be near by, with the result that Nick was nabbed before he realized his peril.
Hugh had to decide quickly as to what he should do, for they were coming in through the gate even now.

Once again did the wonderful story he had been reading flash before his mind.
"I _must_ try it out!" he exclaimed suddenly, gripped by the amazing coincidence between this case and that so aptly described by Hugo.
"I said I would if ever I had a chance.

It worked miracles in the story; perhaps it may in real life, Anyway, it's going to be worth while, and give me a heap of enjoyment watching the result.