about three in the afternoon
Satisfied with this answer , the officers sent instructions to have the tracks patrolled from Hastings to the long bridge , to search all trains , and to arrest any tramps found . This done , arrangements were made to have other detectives at the bridge in case the men eluded capture . The waiting was tedious . But at last , about three in the afternoon , word was received that four tramps , heavily armed , had been captured about ten miles from the Mississippi river . Putting Bob into the cab of an engine , six officers climbed aboard , and a record run was made to the scene of the arrest . `` You sit where you can watch and hear them talk , '' whispered a detective in Bob 's ear . At first the prisoners were silent , but under the taunts of the officers , their reserve weakened , and they began to rail at the men who had captured them .