basket where I had left it."

Ralph's mind was soon made up. He told Joe all about their plans.

"You've got to help us out, Joe," he added.

"You mean take you up into the woods in the wagon to-night?"

"Yes."

"Say," said Joe, his shrewd eyes sparkling with excitement, "I'll do
it in fine style. Ask no questions. I've got a plan. I'll have another
breakdown, not a sham one, this time. I'll have you two well covered
up in the wagon box, and you can lie there until some one comes after
the basket."

"Good," approved Ralph, "you are a genuine friend, Joe."

Ralph and Zeph had to wait around the restaurant all the afternoon.
There was only an occasional customer, and Joe had plenty of time to
spare. He took a rare delight in showing his friends his treasures, as
he called them.

About dusk Joe got the food supply ready for the party in the woods.
He hitched up the horse to a wagon, arranged some blankets and hay in
the bottom of the vehicle, so that his friends could hide themselves,
and soon all was ready for the drive into the timber.

Ralph managed to look out as they proceeded into the woods. The wagon
was driven about a mile. Then Joe got out and set the basket under a
tree.

A little distance from it he got out again, took off a wheel, left it
lying on the ground, unhitched the horse, and rode away on the back of
the animal. The vehicle, to a casual observer, would suggest the
appearance of a genuine breakdown.

"Now, Zeph," said Ralph as both arranged their coverings so they could
view tree and basket clearly, "no rash moves."

"If anybody comes, what then?" inquired the farmer boy.

"We shall follow them, but with great caution. Keep close to me, so
that I can give you special instructions, if it becomes necessary."

"Good," said Zeph. "That will be soon, for there they are!"

Two figures had appeared at the tree. One took up the basket, the
other glanced around stealthily. Ralph recognized both of them, even
in the dim twilight, at some distance away. One was Ike Slump, the
other his old-time crony and accomplice, Mort Bemis.

CHAPTER VIII

THE HIDDEN PLUNDER

"That's the fellow who brought the package of silk to old Ames,"
whispered Zeph, staring hard from under covert at Slump.

"Yes, I recognize him," responded Ralph in quite as guarded a tone.
"Quiet, now, Zeph."

Ike Slump and Mort Bemis continued to linger at the tree. They were
looking at the wagon and beyond it.

"Say,