The Chief laughed.
"No, we haven't got the thieves, Mr.Wiggin.These boys gave us the clue that led to the stuff.

Shake hands, boys, with Mr.Wiggin.

That's Byrd and that's Thayer.

They're Brimfield Academy fellows, Mr.Wiggin, and they happened to see the thieves burying the things about five miles out of town toward Thacher." Whereupon the Chief told the story to the jeweller and the latter, recovering from his embarrassment, insisted on shaking hands again.
"I want to know!" he ejaculated, beaming at them like a pleased sparrow.
"I want to know! Smart lads, eh, Chief?
Now--now--" He hesitated, his eyes darting from Clint to Amy and from Amy to the Chief.

Then he cleared his throat nervously, slapped his hands together gently and continued.