ng such a sinister trick on him.

Just beyond, on the limit of his field of vision, Ben saw a shadowy
figure cross quickly, to the other side of the street. The stranger did
this before coming within the glare of the lamp, which would have
revealed him too plainly to those who might be curious to secure a
glimpse of his features.

An instant later his footfall was heard on the bridge, and he was walking
rapidly toward Ben, crossing again to the same side of the street, as
soon as over the stream. The boy stepped lightly but briskly forward
until he reached Carter's Alley, into which he entered a couple of yards,
and then came to a sudden halt.

At the moment of doing so, his foot struck something hard. He knew what
it was, and, stooping down, picked up a large stone, which he held
tightly grasped in his hand. Such a weapon was very formidable in the
grip of a vigorous boy, who could throw with the skill and accuracy of
Ben Mayberry.

The lad had scarcely halted when he caught the tip, tip of his pursuer,
who was evidently determined to overtake him before he reached the
lighted regions beyond. Ben was astonished just then, to note that a
second person was just approaching from the opposite direction in the
same guarded fashion.

"It must be there are two of them," was the sensible conclusion of the
boy; "they have agreed to meet here, where I wouldn't have much show
against them."

It followed that the party of the second part was waiting for the coming
of young Mayberry, doubtless with the understanding that his partner in
crime should follow him to a certain point near at hand, when the two
would close in on him.

Ben had never suspected any such conspiracy as this, and, had he gone a
little further, he would have walked directly into the arms of the second
ruffian, while peering behind him at the shadowy villain who "still
pursued him."

But the lad had stopped short and disconcerted the plans of the
conspirators by so doing. The one who was lying in wait was quick to miss
the boy whom he had seen cross the bridge, and, suspecting something was
wrong, he hastened stealthily toward the creek to learn the explanation.

CHAPTER XIX

BAFFLED!

It so happened that the two men stopped directly at the mouth of the
alley, within a few feet of Ben Mayberry, who could hear their guarded
words, though he could not catch the first glimpse of their figures.

A whistled signal or two first made them certain