in jail for some time, the chums had never stopped
thinking and wondering about him. But never before had the possibility of
his escaping been thought of.

But now, as they made their way through the forest that was growing
darker and darker, they could not shake off the thought of him.

They glanced often and uneasily into the shadowy woodland and drew closer
together as if for protection. The rain was beginning to come a little
faster now, and their clothes felt damp. Even Billie's courage was
beginning to fail.

Suddenly Laura stopped stock still and looked at them impatiently.

"There's not a bit of use our going on like this," she said. "For all we
know we may be getting farther away from the path every minute."

"And my feet hurt," added Vi pathetically.

Suddenly Billie called to them. She had gone on a little ahead and,
peering through the dusk, had seen the outline of something dark, a black
smudge against the gray of the woods.

"Girls, come here quick!" she cried, and half-fearing, half-hoping, they
knew not what, the others ran to her.

CHAPTER II

THE HUT IN THE WOODS

"What is it?" Laura cried.

For answer Billie pointed through the gloom.

"There! See it?" she cried excitedly. "It's some sort of little house, I
guess--a hut or something."

"A house!" cried Laura joyfully. "Glory be, let's go! What's the matter?"
she asked, as the other girls hung back.

"Better not be in too much of a hurry," Billie cautioned her. "The place
looks as if it were empty; but you never can tell."

"Well, there's something I can tell," Laura retorted impatiently. "And
that is, that I'm getting soaking wet." She started on again, but Billie
called to her to stop.

"Don't be crazy, Laura," she whispered. "We're all alone in the woods,
and it's almost night. How do we know who may be in that shack?"

"Oh, Billie, suppose it were the Codfish!" whispered Vi, and Laura looked
disgusted.

"It isn't apt to be the Codfish," returned Billie. "But whoever it is, I
think we'd better be careful. We'll go up to it softly and look about a
bit. Please don't any one speak until we're sure it's all right."

The girls were used to obeying Billie, even impulsive Laura, so now they
followed softly at her heels, stepping over twigs so as to make no noise.

"Goodness! anybody would think we were thieves ourselves," Laura giggled
hysterically, and Billie looked