began the tramp after the fight with the dog."

"Are you certain of that?"

"You can make sure by crawling through the bushes three or four hundred
yards, when the house should be in sight."

"I'll go ahead now. If I get off the course, stop me," and Harvey took
command of the party.

That Jet had made no mistake was shown ten minutes later when the
outlines of the building with its barricade of cord-wood could be seen
against the gray sky.

The house was wrapped in darkness, presenting a striking contrast with
the scene as viewed by Jet a few hours previous, and the latter said
mournfully:

"I reckon all hands have skipped."

"It won't take us long to find out, for we'll overhaul the place at
once."

CHAPTER X

ONE PRISONER.

The brute guardian of the house was at his post, as was soon learned
when the new-comers drew nearer.

The deep baying of the dog was heard before the party had gained the
edge of the woods where an unobstructed view of the house could be had,
and Jet whispered to Harvey in a tone of satisfaction:

"It's a good thing I killed the other, for now there can't be much of a
fight with only one to be taken care of."

"Does that wood-pile run all around the house?" the detective asked.

"It does, so far as I could see, except at the gate."

"Where is that?"

"To the right."

"How high is it?"

"About the same as the wood-pile, and made of planks."

It was evident the place had been built with especial reference to
sustaining an attack, and there seemed little chance but that it would
be stoutly defended.

"Three men inside could snap their fingers at a hundred," Harvey said,
half to himself; "but at the same time four on the outside could keep a
dozen of them prisoners."

"You are bound to have a fight," Jet whispered.

"There's little doubt about that, my boy. You are to stay under cover
of the barricade near the gate while we rush in."

"Why don't I go with you?"

"Because there's too much danger. It will be enough if you prevent any
of the crowd from giving us the slip."

"But I want to do my share; it was through me that you found out where
they were, and it isn't fair to make me stay behind?"

"You're a brick, my boy," Harvey exclaimed as he grasped Jet's hand
warmly. "If we finish this work all right I'll show you a chance to
earn a living, for you shall be my partner."

"Do you mean it?" Jet cried, speaking incautiously loud in his
excitement.

"Ev