catch the thieves in their own trap."

"I suppose the two men you were expecting haven't arrived yet, have
they?" inquired Bob.

"No. And I'm afraid we won't be able to wait for them, either," said
Brandon. "I could radio to the Barberton chief, but I'm afraid the
message might be intercepted by the crooks, if one of them happened to
be listening. I guess it will be better to go by way of my automobile,
although I hate to lose the time that it will take."

"Isn't there a telephone line from the camp?" suggested Joe.

"No, unfortunately, one hasn't been installed yet," replied the
inspector. "But we can do the trick with the car if we start right away.
I suppose there's no need of asking if you fellows would like to come
with me?"

"None whatever," answered Bob, grinning. "Just give us a chance to go in
and snatch a little grub off the table, and we'll eat it on the way."

Frank Brandon nodded, and the three boys dashed into the mess hall and
caught up anything in the way of eatables that came nearest to hand,
Jimmy, of course, specializing on his favorite doughnuts. Then they
hurried out, and found Mr. Brandon waiting for them, with the motor
running. After a short search they found Herb fast asleep in his bunk,
and roused him unceremoniously, hustling him out before he was fairly
awake.

"What's it all about?" he questioned, rubbing his eyes. "Has the camp
caught fire, or do you just want to borrow some money from me?"

"Never mind the funny business now, we'll tell you all about it while
we're traveling," said Bob, as they reached the automobile. "In you go,
Herb."

Before they could find seats Mr. Brandon had let in the clutch, and the
car started with a jerk that landed them in a heap on the cushions.
Regardless of the rough road, he kept picking up speed, and soon it was
all they could do to stay in the car at all. Barberton was about thirty
miles from the camp, and to reach it they had to cross Hicks Bridge. All
looked calm and peaceful just then, and it was hard to believe that in a
few short hours a desperate fight might be raging between the high banks
that flanked the road. The bridge was some two hundred feet long, and
passed over a deep cut between two hills. In spite of its present
peaceful appearance it was easy to see that the place would be an ideal
one to perpetrate such a crime as the robbers contemplated, and after
they had passed over the bridge Mr. Brandon opened the throttle wider in
his