the road and there saw the form of a man coming
cautiously up the lane as if trying to avoid observation from those in
the house.

Bob and Barker were on their feet in an instant both acting ill at
ease, until a low, peculiar whistle was heard, which the latter
answered in the same manner, and then said to his companion in a tone
of relief:

"Now we shall hear the whole story."

"Who is it?"

"Sam, I reckon; yes it is," and Jabe advanced to seize the new-comer by
the hand.

"Well?" Bob asked, as if impatient to hear the news.

"We're cornered, or at least poor Joe is. We did all we could, and the
result is that I've left the other fellows in jail on the charge of
resisting an officer."

Then Sam went on to tell of Jet's appearing in town with his prisoner,
and the remainder of the story which is already known.

Bob was silent for several moments after the new-comer ceased speaking,
and then said savagely:

"But for me that cub would have been put out of the way before he'd
done anything except tell a certain story in New York. Now all I ask
is a chance to get hold of him again, and I'll swear to it that he
won't do any more mischief."

"What is the New York racket?" Barker asked curiously. "I've noticed
that you and Joe had a secret which bothered you more'n this matter
did."

"If I don't tell you there'll be no danger of your splittin' on us,"
was the gruff reply. "What I want to know is whether there's any show
of our being tracked to this place?"

"Of course, no man can say that to a dead certainty; but unless the
fellows who are jugged give the snap away, we're safe here, providing
Jabe can take care of us," Sam replied.

Mr. Barker did not venture any advice, possibly because he feared it
might not be safe to have too many guests at his house for the
villagers to gossip about.

"What about the house in the woods?" Bob finally asked.

"Two fellows from Albany stayed there a couple of days, and then got
tired of waiting. They took the train home last night."

"Did they find anything?"

"No; I went up to the big oak this morning, and there were no signs the
ground had been disturbed since we left."

Again Bob was silent, and when he finally spoke Jet was considerably
surprised.

"This part of the country is getting too hot for me, and I'm goin' to
make a jump."

"Where?"

"Almost any place is better than layin' around so near. What do you
say to a hunting trip in the Adirondacks,