"This is
the first time, however, we've had for guests a couple of gentlemen
guards from the State Asylum for the Criminal Insane. I'm glad to
see you are enjoying my little snack, thrown together in so hasty
a manner."

"Well, me and my side partner," commented the taller guard, with a
wink at his companion, "wouldn't mind if a prisoner managed to break
away every day in the week if we could be sure of getting such a fine
treat as this, eh, Pete?"

Pete declared that he could truthfully echo that assertion, though
his mouth being so full at the time he could hardly more than mumble
his sentiments.

The two men did full justice to the meal, and then announced that, much
to their everlasting regret, they felt compelled to bid the friendly
scouts good-bye, though they would like nothing better than staying
over the night with them.

It was hardly full noon when they took their departure, waving a farewell
from the edge of the thick brush before plunging into the same. They
had another clue that was worth following up, for those who were fortunate
enough to recapture the escaped prisoner would be in line to receive
some satisfying sort of reward, either in the shape of money, or a
betterment in their condition of employment at the asylum.

"Well, they're gone!" remarked Alec, as he busied himself with his
development tank, anxious to find out how his films were going to
turnout.

Billy heaved a sigh that seemed to come from the soles of his feet.

"To tell the honest truth," he admitted, "I ain't sorry a bit. Those
fellows could give me points about how to stow stuff away, and then
not half try. Why, they acted as if they were hollow clean down to
their shoes. I guess they told the truth when they said they hadn't
had a bite of breakfast this morning."

"But, Billy," interposed Arthur, "I thought you loved to see people eat
heartily all the time? We've always believed you were the most
hospitable fellow going."

"Huh! I used to think the same," grunted Billy, scratching his head,
"but then you know there's such a thing as piling on the agony. Those
fellows weren't just hungry men---they were cannibals, regular human
graveyards, I should say, by the way the stuff disappeared down their
throats. If they drop around again to-night I reckon our stock of
grub will be lowered so much we'll all of us have to go on half rations
the rest of the time we stay here---something I don't look forward
to with much jo