He had made up his mind that he would surprise both of the boys into a confession.
The two cadets stared in wonder at the constable, and then a smile came into Jack's face.

The situation was so ludicrous he felt like laughing.
Jed Plodders saw the smile and frowned deeply.
"This ain't no laughing matter, you scamp!" he bellowed.

"You broke into the Ford house an' tried to steal the silverware! Now don't try to deny it, or it will be the wuss fer you! You done it now, didn't you ?" And he pointed his club at first one cadet and then the other.
"No, we didn't do it!" burst out Fred.

"You are a great big chump to think we did!" "Hi! hi! don't you talk to me like that!" roared the guardian of the peace.
"Then don't you accuse us of any crime," came quickly from Jack.
"Didn't Mr.Fasick find you at the house ?" demanded the constable.
"He did, but we didn't go there to steal; we went there to see if everything was all right.

He went there for the same purpose." "Say, don't you go for to mix me up in this robbery," interrupted Isaac Fasick, hastily.