As soon as a valentine was dropped the door bell would be given
a sharp ring, and then everybody would run and hide and watch to see who
came to the door.
When the Bobbsey children went home they saw somebody on their own front
piazza. It was a boy and he was on his knees, placing something under
the door mat.
"I really believe it is Danny Rugg!" cried Nan.
"Wait, I'll go and catch him," said Bert, and started forward.
But Danny saw him coming, and leaping over the side rail of the piazza,
he ran to the back garden.
"Stop," called Bert. "I know you, Danny Rugg!"
"I ain't Danny Rugg!" shouted Danny in a rough voice. "I'm somebody
else."
He continued to run and Bert made after him. At last Danny reached the
back fence. There was a gate there, but this was kept locked by Sam, so
that tramps might be kept out.
For the moment Danny did not know what to do. Then he caught hold of the
top of the fence and tried to scramble over. But there was a sharp nail
there and on this his jacket caught.
"I've got you now!" exclaimed Bert, and made a clutch for him.
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