For Buckle Wolbruk stealing was easy; the getaway was the hard part.

Pain shot up his right leg as he ran—well, at least from his knee up. Everything below that was a wooden peg, strapped and latched to a nub, all that remained from an accident long ago. Each stride brought tears to his eyes. It was okay, though, it wouldn’t last forever.

Buckle’s friends were all out of sight now. Not a one stayed back to help him evade capture.

“Hold it right there,” a voice bellowed from a short dist...