# XVI: Information explained — Hunting for Hidden Gold > Chapter companion for Hunting for Hidden Gold by Franklin W. Dixon. ## What happens Frank and Joe capture Slim Briggs and learn from him that Black Pepper's gang has been double-crossing each other. Slim reveals that Black Pepper hid the gold himself and that the gang knew the boys were searching the old mines. The boys bring Slim to Lucky Bottom, where they face a reluctant sheriff but are backed by angry miners led by Bart Dawson, forcing the sheriff to lock Slim up. Slim realizes he was tricked into confessing, believing the rest of the gang had been captured. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Disguise Frank deceives Slim into believing the rest of the gang has been captured, prompting Slim to confess everything he knows. ### Justice and Vigilantism The boys and the miners force the reluctant sheriff to do his duty, threatening to replace him if he fails to lock up the outlaw. ### Greed and Betrayal Slim reveals that Black Pepper hid the gold from his own gang out of fear of betrayal, and that the gang members were planning to double-cross each other. ## Character check-ins ### Frank Hardy Frank takes charge of capturing Slim Briggs and interrogating him, using clever deception to make Slim think the rest of the gang is captured. ### Joe Hardy Joe assists Frank in capturing Slim and participates in the interrogation, learning key details about the gold and the gang. ### Slim Briggs Slim is captured by the boys, reveals information about Black Pepper's gang and the hidden gold, and is tricked into confessing by Frank's bluff. ### Bart Dawson Bart Dawson is mentioned as the original owner of the gold along with Coulson, and he appears as the old miner who forces the sheriff to lock up Slim. ### Black Pepper Black Pepper is the leader of the gang who hid the gold himself and is suspected of planning to double-cross his own men. ### Jadbury Wilson Jadbury Wilson is referenced as the man whose partners Dawson and Coulson stole the gold from, according to Slim's story. ## Key lines > This was a stroke of luck that they had not expected. Unwittingly, they had been on the right trail to the camp all the time. The boys were surprised and pleased to learn that they had accidentally been heading in the correct direction toward the outlaws' camp. _Frank and Joe realize Slim's admission confirms they were on the right path._ > If you're goin' to encourage outlaws and thieves, me and the boys will mighty soon see that there's a new sheriff in this here man's town. The old miner threatens the sheriff that if he continues to side with criminals, the townspeople will replace him. _Bart Dawson and the miners pressure the sheriff to do his duty._ > I spilled everything I knew, just so I'd get let off easy! Slim realizes he confessed all his information because he thought the rest of the gang had already been caught. _Slim's anger at being tricked by Frank's bluff._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hunting_for_hidden_gold_se/chapters/xvi-information - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hunting_for_hidden_gold_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hunting_for_hidden_gold_se/chapters