Paul knew Mr. Boggs assisted the post-master in his duties; and many a
time had Paul chatted with the pretty little chap who played around the
building while his father was assorting the incoming mails. Willie Boggs
had always been a universal favorite. He was the sweetest child in all
Stanhope, and everybody loved him.

Paul was shocked at the news. Still, he hoped it might not be as bad as
Si said.

"Where did it happen? How do they know? Who saw little Willie last? What
has been done to find him?" he fired at the clerk like the discharge of
a Gatling gun.

"Glory! expect me to tell the hull story, with my boss asettin' there
inside the store, watchin' the clock, an' dockin' me for every minute I'm
late? All right, who cares? And besides, Paul, p'raps that troop of yours
might be useful in follerin' the tracks of poor little Willie," Si went
on.

"Where, when, how?" demanded the scout master, resolutely.

"This mornin' it happened. Willie went with Annie Spooner to get some
leaf mould in the edge of the woods, for her ma's flowers. She came back
just at noon an' sed Willie had strayed away in the woods."

"Did anybody go to look for Willie?" asked Paul.

"Three boys went out to bring him in. They hunted high an' low, but he
wa'n't there. Then a dozen people set out to search the woods. Just now
they come back to say Willie ain't to be found high nor low. That stirs
the big chief some. He 'low he knows how the thing's to be did; and so
he's agoin' to organize a hunt for the lost child. That's all. Now, let
me get back to my slave tasks, Paul."

"And night coming on," murmured Paul, as he looked out of the door to
where people were assisting the crippled Mr. Boggs across the square in
the direction of his nearby home, where his wife was no doubt waiting
eagerly for some news of the missing darling.

Si Growdy shot out of the door, and headed in the direction of the store
where he gave his valuable services daily from seven in the morning until
late in the evening, for a miserable pittance.

Paul walked thoughtfully out of the post-office. He was tired from his
exertions of the afternoon; but all that was immediately forgotten when
he mentally pictured the weeping mother in that little cottage where the
honeysuckle climbed above the door. Then he thought of the terror of the
little fellow, wandering about in the great woods with night coming down,
and all sorts of strange noises arising to chill his blood.

"I'll do it!" exclaimed Paul presently; "the chance is too good to be
lost. Why let Ted and Ward have the inside track? Just as soon as I can
send word around we'll test our new system of bringing a bunch of the
Fox scouts together. And then, if the boys are willing, we'll try and
discover where Willie Boggs has wandered. It's a glorious opportunity to
find out if what we've learned is worth having. Here goes then, to send
out the call for help!"

CHAPTER XXV

A CAMP IN THE WOODS

"Why, Paul, what's all this hurry mean?"

"I just want to get a few bites of supper, mother, and then rush off.
I've sent out the call for a hurry meeting of the patrol. Some people
call it the emergency signal. Every one of the scouts knows what it
means. Those who can get out will be gathering here inside of half an
hour."

"But it must be something very unusual that urges you to do this. You've
been on the go all afternoon, and I don't know that it is wise to bolt
your supper in such a style, just to be ready to greet the boys when they
arrive."

"Mother, you don't understand. Father hasn't come back from his afternoon
round of visits, has he? Then you couldn't possibly know," went on Paul.

"Know--what, my son?" questioned his mother, seeing that the boy was
worked up more than usual.

"We're going to organize a searching party. Perhaps some of the scouts
may be smart enough to get on the track. It's poor little Willie Boggs,
mother."

"Searching party--Willie Boggs! Is the child lost?"

"Yes, and has been ever since before noon, in the big woods. You see it's
just beginning to get dark now. Think of the poor little fellow wandering
perhaps miles off in the woods. What if a storm should come up?" and
Paul's manner told how he felt.

"But there are no wild animals large enough to injure the child. The most
he could suffer would be exposure to the night air; that and the fright
of finding himself alone. Oh! it is a terrible thing though; and little
Willie is all his poor father has left. It would kill him if anything
happened," declared the good lady, whose heart was very tender.

"Now you see why I'm in such a hurry to get a bite, mother. Every minute
might count, for perhaps he is wandering further and further away. You'll
let Jane get me something in a jiffy, won't you, now?" continued the
eager lad.

"Gladly, and help her too, after you have told me more. How do you boys
expect to look for the child in the blackness of those woods?"

"Every scout will carry a lantern, with which we have practiced signal
wig-wagging until we are able to send messages back and forth. Besides
that, we can form a long line across the woods, and comb nearly every bit
of it, looking into every stack of brush and waste to see if Willie has
lain down. And mother, think if we should just find him, how glad you'd
be that we went out!"

"Indeed, I should! I shall pray that you succeed, my boy. And it does you
great credit that you are so earnest in your desire to help others. Sit
down, and I'll wait on you myself," and Mrs. Morrison bustled away toward
the kitchen as she spoke.

As Paul was hastily devouring his supper, for he was as hungry as a wolf,
who should come in but the doctor. And of course he had to be told;
though Paul's mother took this task upon herself, giving the boy a chance
to eat.

Through the window Paul could see that already several fellows had
gathered; and other lanterns were meanwhile coming like giant fireflies
through the gathering gloom of the night.

The prospect of bringing his scout troop into action for such a good
cause was particularly pleasing to the boy who temporarily filled the
office of leader. Spurred to do their very best by a recollection of the
vows they had so recently taken, the members of Stanhope Troop might be
depended on to bring credit to their organization.

By the time Paul issued from the house there were a full dozen of his
chums present. He was glad to see that all the original charter members
forming the Red Fox patrol were on hand. They happened to live closer
than others who had joined later; and boys of a particular community
generally flock together.

Immediately a great hubbub ensued. Those who did not know what all the
fuss was about had to be "put wise," as William said. And Paul was called
upon to explain his plans for the tracking of little Willie Boggs, who
had become as a chip on the torrent, a wanderer in that mysterious
forest, the end of which few Stanhope fellows had ever reached in their
wanderings up over the hills.

There were now fourteen present, and Paul determined not to wait for any
more of the troop to come to time.

"Fall in!"

Down the street they marched, the lanterns flickering as they swung to
and fro.

No wonder people, rushing to the doors as shouts arose, began to ask
eagerly if the lost child had been recovered.

"It's the Boy Scouts; and they're going out to join the hunt!" some one
shouted.

"Oh! they're about a mile behind Ted and his crowd!" jeered one fellow
who must have had leanings toward the Slavin party; he had been detected
in cheating so often in every game boys played that for months now he
found himself left severely alone by decent fellows, and it was reported
had applied for admission to the patrol Ward and Ted were getting up.

Out of the town, and straight to the spot where the lost boy had last
been seen Paul led his squad. He knew that it would be only a miracle if
the many feet that had trod the ground over would have left any trace of
the child's little shoes; but he still had hopes that the training some
of his scouts possessed would bring more or less success.

The unique sight of all those lanterns on the road had attracted many
people, so that when they arrived at the spot Paul had in mind, fully
thirty followed, a number of them boys who came only to make sport of the
scouts.

"Spread out, fellows," said the scout leader, quietly, "and examine every
foot of ground. If you find a single impression of Willie's little shoe,
give the signal, and I'll come; but hold your places every one."

Immediately the scene became an animated one. Lanterns flashed hither
and thither, swinging close to the ground; while young eyes searched
diligently for a trace.

In less than five minutes the signal sounded, and Paul hurried over to
the one who had given the same. Jack was at his elbow, and between them
they examined the mark, to ascertain in what quarter it pointed.

Then the advance was taken up in that direction.

Again came the thrilling cry that told of a new footprint that had been
found.

This time it was Wallace Carberry who had made the discovery. He talked
so intelligently about it that Paul determined to keep him close by.
Wallace would be a valuable advisor in case he and Jack disagreed at any
time as to what the signs meant.

So they went on for an hour, finding a footprint now and then to
encourage them. These came at more frequent intervals when they got far
enough away to avoid the trampled soil where the crowd had hunted all the
afternoon.

Those who had followed were now missing. They had seen that the scouts
meant business, and did not care to wander so far from town. Hence, Paul
presently found that he and his patrol had the woods almost to
themselves.

Several times though he had seen other lanterns wandering around, and
guessed that these were carried by some of the Slavin crowd, also
diligently combing the woods in the hope of being the lucky ones to
find the missing boy.

The chief of police and his party had gone off in an altogether different
direction.

"How long can we keep this up, Paul?" asked Jack, when they had been
moving on for two hours, with no end in sight.

"Don't know, but we ought to be able to put our best foot forward just
as long as that little fellow does, don't you think?" replied the other,
reproachfully.

"Why, of course, and don't think I'm showing the white feather so early
in the game. I've made up my mind never to go back until he's found. Why,
we can camp right in the woods if it comes to it. And that would be a
bully experience for every Fox in the bunch. Think of having to make beds
out of branches! Ain't I glad some of us brought our camp hatchets
along."

"And Jack, it would leave us in a good position to take up the hunt again
in the morning; for you see we'd be right on the ground where the little
chap passed along. Suppose you call out again. He might hear, and
answer."

Jack obeyed, and repeated the name of Willie in a loud voice again and
again. But only the echoes of the great woods answered. If the boy were
within reach of that cheery hail he must be wrapped in the sleep of
exhaustion, and unable to reply.

Finally Jack ceased to call, for he was growing very husky.

The search still went on with unabated zeal, each boy trying to vie with
his mates in the endeavor to make some new discovery. Paul examined every
faint print of that little foot, desirous of fixing the time it was made.
Wallace joined him in this, and it was clearly shown that hours must have
elapsed since the child passed that way.

"Still, he may be within fifty yards of where we are. Let's keep at it as
long as we can, and only camp when some are too tired to go on," declared
Paul, greatly disappointed to think that they had thus far been baffled
by hard luck.

It was astonishing to see how far the little fellow had wandered; but
fear always lends wings to the feet; and all the while Willie doubtless
really believed he must be heading toward home.

And Paul noted another fact that somehow gave him new interest in the
enterprise. By degrees the trail had swung around to the left, as is
nearly always the case when grown persons are lost; and the principle
seemed to hold good in the case of even a child.

In itself this was not strange; but Paul knew that if they kept on for
another hour the chances were they would come upon the old mill pond,
nestling in the valley. The fact caused him to remember his friend Mr.
Pender; to once more mentally see that red motor with the khaki-colored
top; and to picture the two strangers who had asked him so many
questions.

Was this really an accident, their being drawn out toward the farm of the
unneighborly Sol Smithers; or might it turn out to be the working of
destiny?

He was aroused by a call that he had been expecting to hear for some time
now.

One of the scouts felt forced to admit that he was "all in." They had
done manly work to keep up the tramp all this time, being but boys at
best.

It meant that camp must be made, and the balance of the night spent there
in the woods, waiting for day to come to renew their search.

Poor little Willie was destined then to pass still more hours, surrounded
by the terrors of the black and unknown forest. But probably by this time
he must be so exhausted through his unusual exertions that he was dead to
the world in sleep; so it would not matter very much.

Soon all was bustle as the fourteen lads began to make ready to spend a
time in open camp. The sound of hatchets made pleasant music, as branches
were cut, and beds made close to the fire that had been started.

Some of the smaller lads were so utterly exhausted that they just dropped
to the ground, and went to sleep. Paul and Jack passed around to see that
these wornout fellows did not lie too near the blaze; and that they were
fairly comfortable.

In an hour's time it seemed as though every one were taking solid comfort
after such rude fashion as could be devised. One of the boys had brought
his camera along, keen to secure novel effects; and without warning he
set off a flash that gave him a picture of the slumbering heroes on their
lowly beds, that would be ever afterwards treasured as invaluable.

At the brilliant illumination several sat up, and one even gave a cry of
alarm, thinking perhaps that lightning had struck a tree close by; but
with the coming of darkness again they settled back.

But Paul could not sleep. He was only waiting until some of the more
restless souls quieted down. Then he and Jack, together with Wallace,
meant to again tackle the job of seeking for further imprints of those
worn little shoes among the dead leaves, and in the soft soil under the
giant trees.

Somehow Paul believed that the hunt was bound to carry them to the very
door of that farmhouse on the mill pond. He was induced to suspect this
because the last time they had examined the small shoeprints, the mark of
a much larger foot had appeared beside it; and after mature deliberation
he and Wallace came to the conclusion that some man, walking through the
forest, had discovered the trail of the child, _and was following it_!

He looked around him. As near as he could tell every one of the tired
scouts was slumbering soundly.

So Paul silently arose, touching Jack on the shoulder, who immediately
gave Wallace Carberry the signal.

The three uttered no word, but moving softly back from the circle of
firelight, carrying their almost exhausted lanterns, made ready to once
more start out into the depths of the wood; with the lonely farmhouse now
rented by the surly Sol Smithers just half a mile further to the north!

CHAPTER XXVI

WHAT WOODCRAFT TOLD

"There it is again, Paul!"

"As sure as you live we're being followed, boys!" and Wallace allowed his
voice to rise just above a hoarse whisper when he made this energetic
remark.

The three were crouching in the bushes.

As yet Paul had not caught a glimpse of the object which seemed to
disturb both of his friends; but he was looking sharply now.

"Why, yes, I do believe you are right, fellows," he said, calmly.

"Well, you take it mighty cool, I must say," declared Jack.

"Because I see no reason to get flurried over such a little thing, boys,"
was what the leader replied.

"Little thing, when you know Ted Slavin and a bunch of his toadies came
up here to get all the glory they could out of this business! Don't you
understand, Paul, that if they thought they could down us, they'd just as
lief waylay us in the woods, and put an end to all our expectations?"

This was a very unusual way of talking for Wallace, but it only went to
show how the boy was worked up over the situation, and made nervous by
the continuous strain.

"But how do you know those moving figures are Ted and Ward, or even any
of that crowd?" demanded Paul.

The others hesitated, and finally Jack remarked:

"Well, for a fact we don't know; but you remember we saw signs that even
you declared proved what I'm saying--that some of those fellows have
wandered as far as this."

"Yes, that's a fact. I'm not apt to forget it. Now, how many figures have
you seen dodging along back there, just as if they didn't care to be
seen--yet?"

"How about it, Wallace?" queried Jack, doubtfully.

"Two, anyhow; I'm sure of that," came the hesitating reply.

"Yes, at least two, Paul," the other echoed.

"And we are three. That's one reason why I don't see any reason for
getting nervous over the discovery," observed the leader, his voice now
apparently showing a trace of humor that was bubbling up near the
surface.

"But where there are two there may be more, Paul?" objected Jack.

"Yes, possibly eight or ten more," went on the calm leader.

"Goodness! and you say there is no need of our worrying?" exclaimed
Wallace.

"Yes, explain what you mean, old fellow. Eight or ten would give us a
warm time don't you think?" demanded Wallace, gripping Paul's arm
fiercely.

"Hardly, if they were all sound asleep around a dying campfire, dead to
the world," quoth Paul, chuckling now.

But the others uttered low but vehement exclamations.

"Don't you see what he means, Wallace?" asked Jack.

"Sure. What a couple of fools you and I were," came the scathing reply.

"We've been followed by two of our own boys. They must have watched us
crawl out of camp, and not wanting us to have all the fun, here they come
creeping after us. What shall we do, Paul?" Jack queried in the other's
ear; for the flitting figures were now very near.

"Open our arms and welcome the recruits. If they're just bound to join
forces with us, why should we make any kick. I'm glad of it."

Then raising his voice a little, Paul continued:

"Hey! there!"

They could hear the murmur of voices. Evidently the two shadows were
talking it over, and must have arrived at some quick conclusion, for
presently same a hail.

"Hello! Paul, Jack!"

"It's Bobolink, for one," muttered Jack, immediately.

"Then it's a sure thing William is tagging along," said Wallace.

"Come on, both of you fellows. No danger!" called Paul, softly.

After that assurance the shadows boldly advanced, and quickly joined the
three who stood under the spreading oak.

It proved just as Jack and Wallace had predicted, for the newcomers
turned out to be William and Bobolink. They were chuckling, as though
considering it a good joke.

"Thought you'd give us the quiet sneak, and gobble all the glory
yourselves, hey?" said the latter, as they bustled up; "but William and
myself had it all fixed. We were on to your curves, all right."

"Yes," broke in William, just there; "didn't we see you with your heads
together a lot, and wasn't we wise to what was in the wind. Bobolink was
awake, and it was my turn to snooze. He gave me a kick in the seventh rib
that made me think a comet had dropped on me. But we showed up game. Now,
what's doing, fellows; and do we get a grab at the scout?"

"If you both feel like trotting around a whole lot more, why you're just
as welcome as a shower in spring," asserted Paul, promptly.

"I should say, yes," declared Jack; "and if the whole bunch could stand
the racket we wouldn't have crept away like we did. But most of the poor
fellows are all in, and dead tired, and we thought it would be a shame to
invite them to hike some more."

"Did you bring your glim along?" asked Paul.

"Our lanterns? Well, William didn't want to, but I insisted. I knew that
if we missed you fellows, and lost ourselves in the bush, they'd come in
mighty fine for company," returned Bobolink.

"Then let's light up. After that we'll spread out, and try to find the
trail," with which remark Paul set the example.

Presently five lanterns glowed like giant fireflies.

"Think it lies in this direction, Paul?" asked William.

"I'm sure of it. After that man's track came alongside the print of the
little chap's shoe, there was no more wandering about; but it struck
straight ahead. That told me the trail was heading for a house," came the
ready reply.

"A house. Say, is there any other place up here but the old farm
alongside the mill pond? I don't seem to remember any," remarked
Bobolink.

"And that's just where I expect we'll bring up sooner or later," observed
Paul.

"Then why not put for the old place at full speed right away?" suggested
William, always impetuous.

"To do that we'd have to drop the trail again. And besides, what does
an hour, or even two of them, matter in the end? Slow but sure is the
successful scout's motto, boys. Hello I look here, what's this?"

Paul thrust his lantern down close to the ground. Bending over to look,
the others could see the plain impression of a child's little shoe. It
was heading due north, just as many similar tracks had been of late.

"Now if you look at this you'll see it's nearly crushed out by the big
print of a man's foot; while just beyond the child has stepped into the
impression made by the man. That can mean only one thing; the two were
going on in company, and for a minute he let go the little one's hand, so
that first the child was in front, and then behind."

"I guess you're right, Paul. But see here, what does this mean? The small
track has dropped out altogether," remarked William.

"That is where the big fellow picks the boy up in his arms, and is
carrying him," said Wallace, before Paul could answer.

"Right you are, that is just what happened. To tell the truth I don't
know why he didn't do that before. He must have been toting some bundle
along, and couldn't well carry the boy too. Come back a bit. I want to
look around," and Paul retraced his steps until he had reached the spot
where a confusion of tracks met his gaze.

He followed the man's trail a few paces, and found himself under a tree.
Raising his lantern he carefully examined the bark of the trunk, and
finding several fresh scratches, pursued his investigations still higher.

One accommodating limb grew rather low. In fact a man could, by reaching
up his arms, clasp it easily; and that was what Paul believed had been
done.

"Give me a push, somebody; and then hand up my lantern," he said,
clasping his arms about the tree as well as he was able.

Ten seconds later William was handing him up the light; after which Paul
began to ascend slowly, looking about him as though constantly on the
watch for signs that would tell another had preceded him.

"All right; it's here. I'm coming down, fellows," he soon called out.

Reaching that friendly lower limb he held something in view.

"Take hold of this, Bobolink, and handle it carefully, because we don't
know what's in the package. It might be dynamite!" he remarked.

"Oh! I hope not!" exclaimed the one in whose arms the bundle reposed; and
he did not look any too happy at the prospect ahead.

"Don't be silly," said Paul, as he dropped beside them. "But whatever
it may be, we might as well hide it in a new place. Then if the fellow
should come back here to get it, he's going to meet with a
disappointment, that's all."

"But what d'ye think it is?" argued the one who clasped the large package
in his arms, though with evident reluctance.

"That is none of our business just now. It may be honest enough, and we'd
get into a peck of trouble if we peeked. So let's just chuck it in some
hollow stump as we go along, and muffle our trail behind us so he can't
find where we put it. Later on I think I know some one who will be glad
to look into what it contains."

"Perhaps I do too," remarked Jack; and the two chums looked at each
other, with mutual astonishment marked on their faces.

"Oh!" remarked Paul, "are you on, too? Did he tell you the secret?"

"I happened to pick up an envelope he dropped, and wondered whose it was;
so I went around, asking. He laughed when I came to him, and told me
a little bit of news that surprised me. But Paul, he asked me not to
breathe a word, even to you. That was a mean joke, when you knew all
along," Jack complained.

"Remember the red car on the road, and the two men in it?"

"Oh! did they have anything to do with his coming up here? Yes, now that
I think of it, you were pretty much excited over that same red car. You
guessed something then, didn't you, Paul?"

"He had asked me to watch out for a red car with a khaki-colored top,
that might have two men in it, one of them owning to a glass eye."

"Good gracious!" said Jack; "that tall chap did have a bogus eye, for a
fact. And when you left me in town you hurried around to the post-office
to find Mr. Pender, didn't you? I see it all now. He never came home for
supper, as far as I know. I reckon he must have got a rig of some sort,
and put out for the mill pond. But what about Solus Smithers--they asked
after him, you know?"

Paul pointed to the marks on the ground.

"Unless I'm wrong those are his tracks. I noticed that he had big feet at
the time he came out and ordered us to clear away from the pond, and
threatened us with his gun. Yes, perhaps he got home to find visitors
waiting for him," Paul observed, just as though he could read all these
things from the trail.

"Then we go on, do we?" asked Bobolink, eagerly.

He had been listening to what passed between his two comrades, and while
it was partly Greek to him, enough of the truth filtered through to give
him a creepy sensation, as though cold water were being poured down his
back.

Bobolink was no coward though, and while he shivered it was more through
a delicious frame of mind over the chance of an adventure than because
he felt fear.

"Straight on, as long as these lanterns hold out. I see yours has begun
to flicker already, William. There, it's puffed out; and my own isn't
near as strong a light as it was."

Paul seemed to be a true prophet, for inside of five minutes the lanterns
"gave up the ghost," the last to expire being that of Jack.

"What's doing now?" demanded Jack.

"Gather up all the matches in the crowd. Then I'll strike them one by
one," was Paul's immediate response.

This emergency torch lasted for a little while. Finally the last match
was gone, and still they were some distance away from the mill pond.

"Listen," said William, suddenly; with a thrill in his voice; "whatever
do you suppose that is?"

CHAPTER XXVII

TED FINDS SOMETHING

"Sure it wasn't an owl?" asked Paul, when a full minute had passed away,
without their hearing a repetition of the sound that had reached the ears
of his comrade.

"Didn't sound like it. I kind of thought it was somebody calling for
help!" said Bobolink, quivering with the suspense caused by the
situation.

They stood in a group, listening eagerly. The night wind stirred the tops
of the tall forest trees softly, and even this gentle sound boomed on
their strained nerves like the strokes of a bass drum.

"Oh! there! Didn't you hear it that time?" whispered Bobolink.

"I guess we did," replied Paul; "and you're right in saying it is
somebody shouting. But all the same I don't feel sure it was a call for
help. Let's remember, fellows, that Ted and his crowd must be somewhere
about up here. And you know from past experiences what dodges he's up to
when he wants to play a trick on anybody."

"Do you mean he'd like to draw us off by shouting that way, while some
of his fellows went along to the farmhouse, and got the lost boy?" asked
William.

"That would be just like Ted. He's as full of tricks as an egg is of
meat," Jack took it upon himself to say at this juncture.

"Well, what are we going to do about it, boys?" asked Wallace.

"I leave it to Paul; whatever he says ought to be good enough for me,"
replied Wallace.

"And me," came from the others without hesitation.

"Thanks, fellows. I hope that my plan will prove the best after all. But
don't blame me if I should make a mistake. Let's head for the road, which
I take it ought to be somewhere over yonder," remarked Paul, pointing
through the darkness.

"The road, eh? I see, you mean that once we get on that we'll have it
easy all the way to the pond. That suits me all right. Count William in."

"Yes, seeing that our lanterns are out, and not a match in the crowd, I
guess the sooner we get our feet planted on the highway, the better for
our noses. I've barked mine already against a tree, and another dose will
spoil my classic beauty," grunted Bobolink, rubbing tenderly at the spot
in question.

"Then come along, the rest of you," said Paul, starting off.

"Seems to me it's getting lighter," announced Wallace, presently.

"Mebbe our eyes are used to it, that's what," Bobolink remarked.

"Mine are closing up right fast, I warn you, fellers," said William; "and
before long it's going to be a case of the blind leading the blind. That
branch took me across the face. Hey! ain't that the same old shout?"

"Sounds like it; but much nearer," returned Paul, with a vein of
uncertainty in his voice, as if he might be commencing to doubt whether
they were doing the right thing in paying no attention to the calls.

"Oh! I guess I know what it means," remarked Jack; "I've been trying to
make it out all along. That's sure a different voice. Some of Ted's crowd
have got separated, and they're just trying to get together again. You've
heard quail calling, after being flushed and scattered. How, Paul?"

"Perhaps you've struck it, Jack. Anyway, we are on the road here, and had
better push straight along to the pond first."

"Right enough," uttered Bobolink, as he broke through a cordon of brush,
and jumped out on the highway, though it might be only an apology for a
road after all, being scantily used; "and after that experience it's
going to be something big that drags me into the woods again."

The little group stood there for a minute to recover their wind, which
had been more or less exhausted in the last desperate push through the
dark woods.

"Ready to move on, fellows?" demanded Paul, who had apparently not
changed his mind, and was more than ever bent on covering the last lap
lying between themselves and the pond.

Jack and Wallace fell in on either side, and the march was begun. Since
the other pair did not wish to be left behind, they were forced to
accompany themselves to the movements of the trio.

Thus they walked perhaps a full hundred yards along the winding road,
with the stars showing overhead, and the black mysterious woods flanking
them on either side.

The shouts had apparently ceased; at least none had been heard since the
five lads reached open territory.

Again it was Bobolink who caught a sound of some sort.

"Tell me again I'm hearing owls, will you, fellows? If that ain't a
gasoline wagon climbing a hill ahead there I'm off my guess," he
whispered.

"Chug! chug!" came the plain sound, as the air current veered more toward
the point toward which they were heading.

"I know that hill," Paul observed, as if talking to himself; "it's just
this side of the mill pond. That means the car is coming this way. The
two gentlemen are separating themselves from their dear friend, Solus
Smithers. Why, I wonder? Would Mr. Pender have anything to do with it?"

"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Bobolink, proving that his plaint about
his eyes closing up could hardly be based on solid ground.

"Somebody struck a match, and it went out! Whoever it is, he's on the
road just ahead of us, fellows!" whispered Jack.

"Back up into the scrub here. Quick! for perhaps he's got another match!"
said Paul, following up his words by instant action.

They managed to cower down in the brush, though Bobolink muttered
something to the effect that he had received another jab in the
neighborhood of his wretched eyes.

"Look! he's done it, Paul, just as you said he would!" whispered Jack.

"Yes, he's shielding it from the breeze till it gets strong. There--well,
what d'ye think of that, fellers?" gasped William.

"It's Ted!" muttered Wallace, staring hard at the figure that seemed to
be huddled up on the road a little distance away.

"What do you suppose the silly goose is doing on his knees?" came from
Jack.

"He's found something, and he's looking at it. See, now he's managed to
open it up. Seems to me like a leather bag, boys," Wallace managed to
wedge in with.

"Just what it is, old cat eyes. A hand bag! Now, however did that thing
happen to be lying there in the road? Nobody ever comes up here but
Solus, and he isn't the one to own a bag like that."

"The red car," said Paul, as Jack seemed to hesitate.

"That's it, as sure as you live. Dropped out of the machine; and by
jinks! the fellers are comin' back to look for it. Never missed it till
Sol got home!" his chum declared.

All this talk between the five boy scouts was carried on in the lowest of
whispers. The sound of their voices would not have carried twenty feet;
and the kneeling Ted was several times that distance away.

Besides, he seemed to be so fascinated by what he had discovered in the
leather grip that he had eyes and ears for nothing else just then.

"The motor is coming closer!" remarked Wallace, as the sound of the
engine was borne more distinctly to their ears.

"Sure. She's just at the top of the rise, and now it's down-grade. Reckon
she'll be here in a minute. Push back further, fellows."

"Look! Ted hears it now! He's jumped up! Seems like he just don't know
what to do, cut and run with the bag, or wait till the car gets there.
Hey! watch that, will you?" gasped William.

"He threw the bag as far as he could into the woods!" said Jack.

"That looks like he meant to try and keep it," suggested Jack; "I imagine
that the leather grip holds something that took Ted's fancy. But all the
same I reckon it isn't going to be easy sledding for him. Will he run,
fellows?"

"He's debating that same question now; but it's too late. He waited just
half a minute too long," Paul remarked, as a sudden flash of dazzling
light shot around a bend a short distance ahead, and the red car with the
khaki-colored top came into view, making fairly fast time.

They could dimly see the inmates apparently surveying the road ahead with
the utmost eagerness, as though anxious to make a discovery. The loss of
that bag must have rather upset their plans, and given them a jolt.

Every one of the five hidden scouts crouched low, so that their faces
might not be discovered by that fierce white glow.

Plainly to their ears was borne the shouts of the men in the machine, as
they discovered the figure of Ted on the road. The Stanhope bully had
evidently made up his mind that the bag was well worth struggling for,
and that he must make some sort of a fight to retain possession of it.

Paul could guess what his plan of operations would be. He had seen Ted
play innocent more than once before, when caught in the act of doing some
mean thing. And as a rule the fellow could carry out the game fairly
well.

But he was up against a different proposition now; and these keen-eyed
men were not apt to be hoodwinked so easily as a parcel of schoolboys.

Ted stood there, looking at the car that was bearing down upon him.

No doubt he had assumed the innocent air of a rustic, and tried to make
himself appear as stupid as he could. The two men in the red car were no
longer calling, for they had seen that the boy on the road showed no
signs of wanting to run.

As they bore down upon the spot the car slowed up, and came to a full
stop within a few yards of the waiting Ted. Every scout lying in the
screen of bushes held his breath as he listened to catch what was going
to follow.

"Say, gimme a ride, mister?"

That was Ted speaking, before either of the men could say the first word.
Indeed they were too busy clambering out of the car to surround him, and
cut off any chance of escape, to think of anything else.

Without answering they bore down on Ted, and he found himself confronted
by two eager faces, while a rough hand clutched his arm.

"He ain't got it, Brad!" exclaimed the shorter of the pair, as though
disappointed over something.

"Hey, what'd you do with it, son?" demanded the taller traveler, looking
furiously at Ted, though pretending to speak gently.

"With what, boss? I ain't got nothin' that belongs to you, sure I ain't!"
whimpered the boy; and Paul came near to chuckling at the way Ted put on
the agony.

"We lost a leather bag out of the car. I saw it after we turned into this
here twisting side road just back a piece. We've looked over every foot
between here and the mill pond, and ain't seen it. I'm going to ask you
again, son, what did you do with it?"

The man did not threaten, as yet, but there was something deep down in
his voice that seemed to tell of all sorts of terrible things that might
happen to the boy unless he came to time, and confessed.

But at any rate Ted was game. His covetous nature had been aroused by
something he had glimpsed inside of that same bag; and he did not mean to
give it up unless pushed to the last resort.

"Ain't seen no bag, mister, 'deed an' I ain't," he whimpered; "I got a
lantern here, an' I was ahuntin' a little boy that was lost from home.
Lots of other fellers in the woods adoin' that same. But my light give
out. Then I struck this here road. I'm clean tired out, mister, and I'd
like to get a ride home, if so be you're goin' my way. A bag, mister?
Sure I ain't knowin' nawthin' about no bag. Cross my heart if I do. Gimme
a ride to Stanhope, mister, please!"

CHAPTER XXVIII

FORCED TO TELL

The two men looked at each other.

Apparently they hardly knew whether to believe Ted or not. Paul saw them
put their heads close together, as though exchanging confidences. Then
the tall fellow once more whirled on Ted, who had been standing on one
leg, with a most forlorn look upon his face.

"We both think that you lie, son," said the man who was minus one of his
optics, as he thrust his face close down to that of Ted, as though he
would look straight into his heart; but this was something that no one
else had ever succeeded in doing, and the attempt did not prove very
successful.

"Tell him who we are, Brad," growled the shorter of the twain, who looked
angry enough to devour the unfortunate Ted.

So the one called Brad took something out of his coat pocket that made
a peculiar jingling noise, and held it up before the boy.

"D'ye see them, son? We call 'em bracelets, and they're meant to go on
the wrists of criminals. D'ye understand now? We're officers of the law,
and we've just made a grand haul. But some of the evidence has slipped
away from us. It's in that same bag you picked up on this here road.
Now, don't you dare deny it again, or we'll take you into town with these
pretty toys clasped on your wrists. I'm going to give you another chance
to tell us, son. Where did you put that bag?"

Ted winced and whined. He showed all the signs of injured innocence.
Surely he must have made up his mind quickly that the contents of the
bag were well worth taking all sorts of chances for.

"Ain't seen no bag. Sure I'd be on'y too glad to tell you, mister, if I
had. All I wants to do is to go home. I'm tired, an' nigh sick with all
this huntin' for that kid," he whimpered.

The man suddenly pounced on him, and despite Ted's struggles and
entreaties, he seemed to succeed in accomplishing his purpose. At any
rate the concealed scouts heard a snap; and when Ted reeled back he was
holding his two hands close together in a suspicious way, and staring at
something that seemed to be in the nature of a connecting link.

"Now you are in for it," said the tall man, shaking his head
threateningly as he stood over the prisoner; "we'll have to take you to
town, and put you in the lockup as an accessory after the fact. D'ye hear
that, you young fool? And all because you refuse to help honest officers
of the law in their legitimate business. Why, you may get ten years at
hard labor, yes, twenty. Better tell all you know, and perhaps we'll let
you off."

"You can do anything you like to me, mister, but I ain't agoin' to say
what I don't know. Ain't seen any bag of no kind. Cross my heart if I
have. I'm willin' to help you hunt for it, even if I am dog tired. Don't
you believe me, mister? Sure, I wouldn't lie to you. What would I be
wantin' with a bag; we got plenty at my house. Ted Slavin's my name, and
I live in Stanhope. Gimme a ride, mister, if you're goin' that way, won't
you?"

Again the two men talked together, while Ted watched them out of the
corner of his eye. He might even have tried to run but the fact that
his hands were fastened together with that steel chain prevented such
a thing.

Once more they turned upon him, and the tall man pointing down,
thundered:

"You've been kneeling in the dirt!"

Ted glanced down at his trousers involuntarily; but even then he was not
taken off his guard.

"I fell ever so many times after my lantern went out. See here, mister,
how I scraped the skin off my hand. That's the honest truth I'm givin'
you!" he cried.

Undoubtedly it was, but all the same the men showed no signs of yielding.

The taller one, called Brad by his companion, deliberately detached one
of the lamps from the car. With this he bent down to examine the road.

"He'll see the marks of the bag!" whispered Bobolink to Paul.

"Watch him while I scurry along the road a bit, to see if he left it,"
was what the man said, and then moved down toward the spot where the
five boys lay in hiding.

When he came opposite them they hardly dared to breathe, lest his keen
ears catch the sound, and he pounce upon them.

But he went past, scouring the road closely, and looking for some sign of
the missing bag. They saw him pass on, and the light grew dim. Meanwhile
Ted sat down on a log, and seemed to be very dejected and forlorn. Once
or twice when the shorter man was not looking Paul saw him glance around,
as though sizing up the chances for a sudden plunge into the forest.

"He's coming again," said Bobolink; and the brilliant glow from down the
road bore evidence of the truth of this remark which was whispered in
Paul's ear.

Brad walked hastily back, and soon rejoined his companion, with whom he
talked earnestly for a minute.

"Get up!" he said, turning to Ted, and giving the boy a kick that made
him climb to his feet hurriedly, groaning with pain.

"Bring him along into the woods, Wash!" the tall man continued, turning
aside.

"Oh! what are you goin' to do?" cried Ted, in real or pretended terror,
as he caught hold of the man's coat, and sought to hold him back.

"You'll find out right soon, son. Before we're done with you perhaps
you'll wish you'd told us about that ere bag us the beginning. We're just
going to make it warm for a feller of your size. This night air has made
you too cold to speak up; but we'll fix all that, I reckon; we know how
to do it, don't we, Wash?"

"Do we? Well, I should smile we did. But they's no need of our goin' far,
old man. This here is a right smart tree, and looks like it might answer.
'Sides, they seems to be lots o' loose wood lyin' 'bout this part!"

Paul felt a chill pass over him. Could it be possible these rascals meant
to torture Ted until he told; or were they just trying to frighten him?
If it came to the worst they just could not stand by and see such a thing
done.

Ted, of course, was considerably worked up when he heard what the shorter
fellow said. It was so very plain he could not mistake the meaning.

"Say, mister, you wouldn't go to hurt a poor feller what never done you
no harm, now, would you? Wish I on'y knowed where I could find a bag; I'd
get it for you like hot cakes. Please don't smoke me. I ain't a ham,
mister, an' I never done you any harm. Let me go, won't you? I'll never
come up here again, sure I won't. And I'll promise to bring you all the
bags in our house, mister."

Paying no attention to his pleadings and his groanings the men stood Ted
up against a tree. Then the rope brought from the car was wrapped around
both boy and tree several times.

"Get busy, Wash, and scrape up all the dead leaves you can find. Then
begin and pile up some brush and stuff. Oh! yes, it's a cold night, but
we ain't agoin' to let a poor critter what's lost his way, suffer. Here
you, stop that snifflin'. Time enough to beller after it begins to hurt."

He struck Ted again in the face, making his nose bleed. Paul had crept
out from the brush and commenced to approach the spot. He knew that the
other four scouts were probably close on his heels.

Every boy's heart beat like a trip hammer with excitement. They bit their
lower lips to keep from shouting out loud, such was the strain upon them.
But not one had the least thought of turning back. With such a leader,
how could they?

The shorter ruffian was scratching right merrily among the dead leaves,
making all the noise he could, so as to impress the prisoner with a sense
of his perilous condition. While he worked he kept talking, half to
himself, and no doubt uttering all sorts of terrible threats calculated
further to alarm the boy.

"We forgot one thing, Wash," said the other man, suddenly.

"What was that?" asked the one on his knees.

"To search the varmint. I might as well do it right now, while you go on
getting his jacket warmer ready."

At first Ted tried to make all the resistance possible; but this only
brought quick punishment in the shape of ugly blows and threats. So Ted
had to stand and allow the other to have his way.

A minute later the man uttered a loud cry.

"Look here, Wash, what did I say?"

He was holding something up. Seen in the light from the lamp belonging
to the red car it looked very much like a fat wad of greenbacks, tied
together with a cord.

Wash sprang up, and bent over to examine the object in the light. Then he
laughed harshly.

"It's the boodle, all right, Brad. He found the bag, sure as thunder! And
now he's _got_ to tell, or it's all up with him!"

Both men turned furiously on the bound boy. Ted had held out against all
odds up to this critical point; but of course he must admit himself
beaten, now that they had found the evidence in his pocket.

Nearer crept Paul, with his chums tagging close at his heels. And nobody
thought to look beyond the line of brilliant light cast by the lamp which
rested on the ground at the foot of the tree. Fortunately its powerful
rays were directed away from the quarter occupied by the creeping Boy
Scouts.

"Now, I reckon you're agoin' to tell all you know about that ere bag,
son?" said Brad, in a terrible voice.

"I guess I'll have to, mister. I was just holdin' out to see if so be you
was what you says. Now I know you be, and I'm ready to tell the hull
thing if you'll only let me go free. I don't want to be smoked, just yet
anyway," Ted whined.

"You did find the bag, then?" demanded the other.

"Yep, that's what I did."

"And took this wad of dough out of it?" pursued the other, savagely.

"It looked too nice to throw away, so I cabbaged it, mister. Wisht I
hadn't now."

"What became of the bag after you took this out--go on, now, and tell,
or--"

"Oh! I throwed that away, mister, right over here in the woods somewhere.
If you look around you'll find her close by. Please let me go when you
dig her out!" said Ted, really alarmed now for his safety.

CHAPTER XXIX

THE CAPTURE

Paul knew where that bag was.

By the strangest chance in the world he was kneeling alongside it just
then. In creeping forward so as to draw closer to the scene of action,
and avoid the rays of light cast by the car lamp, he had happened to put
his hand on some object that felt soft to the touch; and he guessed what
it must be.

What if the tall man came straight toward that spot, looking for the
missing object? Dared they rise up and defy these two scoundrels? If some
one cast Ted loose would he join forces with them, and make common cause
against the ruffians?

Judging from what he knew about the fellow, from past experiences, Paul
thought no dependence could be placed on Ted. As likely as not if his
hands were free, he would seize the very first chance to snatch up the
bag and scamper off, leaving the others to bear the brunt of the men's
anger.

But perhaps they would not have to face the tall chap just yet. He seemed
ready to start into the bushes across the way first, taking the lamp with
him.

"Keep on piling up the trash, Wash. Get him surrounded good and plenty.
For if we don't run across that bag mighty soon we're bound to make it
warm for this Smart Aleck. But don't put a match to the heap till I get
back. I wanter see the fun, you understand."

"Oh! mister, it's just like I was tellin' you. I stood in the road and
guv the bag a throw when I see your light over the top of the hill. She
jest _must_ be close around here somewhere," Ted wailed.

"If Brad finds her, all well an' good; but if he don't--well, you'll have
a sweet time soon, that's all," growled the shorter man, still on his
knees, and engaged in scraping more leaves together.

"If you on'y would let me, I'd stand on the road jest where I was when
I throwed the old bag. Then you could figger where she landed. Let me
loose, won't you, mister? I told you the truth this time; and you're sure
to find that bag. They'll be wonderin' what's become of me at home, sure
they will. I got a mother, and she thinks a heap of me, she does. You
wouldn't break her heart, mister, by smokin' a poor boy?"

"Aw! dry up! you fooled us once, but you can't do it no more. It's the
bag, or your hide gets a singein', my fine feller. That'll do for you,
now."

The man had a temper as short as his stature; and Ted dared not stir him
up any further. So he hung there alongside the tree, watching the glow
of the lamp further up the road.

And as he stood in this disconsolate position, he suddenly became aware
that something was taking place just beyond the kneeling Wash.

Perhaps, had his hands not been so snugly fastened together with that
horrid steel chain, Ted might have tried to rub his eyes, under the
impression that they were deceiving him; for he saw a face in the dim
light, a face that looked wonderfully like that of Paul Morrison.

Some foolish boys would have been so thrilled by the prospect of relief
that they must have called out, and thus betrayed the creeping rescuers.
Ted chanced to be built on different lines. He stared and blinked, but
gave utterance to no sound.

He saw other moving figures close on the heels of the leader. Then he
understood that Paul was not alone, but some of his Red Fox patrol must
be in attendance.

Closer still crept the newcomers. If Ted's heart ever warmed toward a
living being it surely ought just then; when these lads, whom he was
wont to regard as his bitter rivals, and enemies in everything at school,
took such chances simply because they could not see a Stanhope boy in
trouble.

Wash kept muttering to himself as he worked. The rustle of the leaves,
and the crackling of the brush as he dragged it forward, kept him from
hearing such sounds as might have been made by the tenderfeet scouts, who
had not yet learned just how to do these things as might an Indian or an
experienced woodsman.

Paul was on his knees now, and still rising, with Jack a close second.

They were not three feet behind the man who labored. A single plunge
forward must send them full upon his back.

Some thought of his companion possibly crossed the mind of Wash just
then; for he suddenly turned his head.

Of course he could not help but see what was behind him.

"Now!" whooped Bobolink and William in a breath.

There was a simultaneous movement on the part of the five lads. Wash,
taken by surprise, could not get up on his feet. He had his hands full of
brush at the moment, and this also handicapped him about making any
effective use of the weapons Nature gave him.

He had just time to shout the name of his companion when the avalanche
struck him, and he was bowled over as neatly as ever a football tackle
got his man.

Paul knew that they could easily manage this one fellow. The trouble
was Wash did not happen to be alone. When the tall ruffian came dashing
quickly to the spot there was no telling what he might not do.

"Hold him down, you twins. Don't let him break loose. The rest of you
follow me!"

Even while speaking Paul scrambled to his feet. He heard the mad patter
of feet as Brad came dashing toward the spot, shouting in his excitement,
and doubtless believing that the prisoner had turned upon his captor.

"Let me loose, Paul; quick, twist this rope around the tree!" shrilled
Ted, who saw a chance to escape the punishment that had been hovering
over his head.

Paul caught the end of the rope. Four times did he dash around that tree,
in about as many seconds; then Ted, finding his bonds loose, squirmed
free.

But Brad was now on hand, filled with astonishment and fury. Whichever
way he turned the rays of his car lamp he seemed to discover fresh moving
figures. The woods seemed to be full of enemies. They must be hiding
behind each and every tree, ready to pounce upon him.

Already he could see that his partner was writhing on the ground, held
down by an unknown number of strangers. In his eyes it might be these
advancing figures each and every one must be a deputy sheriff, eager to
have a hand in his arrest. So terror makes cowards of the best of men;
and Brad turned to flee.

"Surrender!" shouted a voice behind him.

It was Paul calling out, but just then the alarmed culprit could not tell
the voice of a boy from that of a hyena. Some one had called upon him to
surrender, and the dread word conjured up all sorts of terrible
conditions.

Into the darkness of the woods he would have plunged, regardless of the
shock that must follow a collision with an unseen tree. But he did not
go far. A figure arose straight in his path, and opened a pair of arms,
into the embrace of which the fleeing rascal ran.

Before the lamp fell to the ground and went out Paul had one glimpse of
a face.

"It's Mr. Pender, fellows! Brad's nabbed!" he could not help shouting.

Jack, realizing the need of more light, instantly flew over to where the
car was standing, and detached the second lamp. With this he hastened
back. Wash was still struggling; but the two boys had him on his face,
where his superior strength was of little avail; and were sitting on him
to keep him quiet.

When they rushed over to where Mr. Pender had been seen struggling with
the taller of the ruffians, they found that he had subdued Brad; for the
other was glaring down at a pair of steel bracelets which outshone those
he had so pleasantly snapped on the wrists of poor Ted.

There was no more fight in him.

When the other man had been treated to a similar present, they were
allowed to sit upon the ground and exchange words of doleful regret,
while Mr. Pender went the rounds, and gravely shook hands with each one
of the Boy Scouts.

"You've done me a good turn, boys, a mighty good turn. I was just on my
way to the mill pond to arrest these chaps when I saw a light ahead, and
creeping up, witnessed this interesting sight. When I've found that bag
now, I imagine I'll have the case against these two worthies clean cut,"
he said.

Upon which Paul quietly stepped over into the bushes and fished out the
article in question, which he delivered to the officer.

From Brad's pocket was taken the wad of bills which Ted had thought to
purloin from the bag before he threw it and the rest of its contents
away.

"This is counterfeit money, boys, made from the plates in the bag. They
were taking these things to Solus, who had written them that he had
secured a nice quiet retreat where they might work undisturbed. So you
see, my boy," said Mr. Pender to Ted, "if you had made way with this
it must have gotten you into a peck of trouble from the start. You're
lucky to get out of it as easy as you do."

Ted was looking anything but cheerful.

"Oh! I knowed it was bad money all the while, sir, but I wanted to take
it to the chief of police in town. I ain't ever goin' to run up against
Paul Morrison and his crowd no more, after this white way they treated
me. Not much. I'm goin' to turn over a new leaf after this. But please,
mister, get that key from him, and take these things off. Makes me squirm
to just feel 'em. But, mister, I'm glad I didn't have to smoke, after
all," and that seemed to be the burden of Ted's thanksgiving.

As to his ever turning over that promised new leaf, well, Paul believed
they were more apt to find potatoes growing on apple trees than that
such a wonder should come about.

"But I'm not satisfied yet, boys," said the Government agent; "there's a
third one to get; Solus Smithers, who is known to me by another name.
Now, I wonder if I could leave these two prisoners in charge of several
of you, while the rest went with me in the car? I'll make use of the
rope, so they just can't possibly get away."

It was presently decided that William, Wallace and Bobolink should stay,
also Ted if he cared to remain. Paul and Jack would accompany Mr. Pender,
so as to render any assistance needed. They could also bring back little
Willie Boggs, should he be found under the roof of the old farmhouse by
the mill pond.

"The worst of it is I don't know how to handle a machine," remarked the
gentleman, after they had stepped out on to the road.

"Both of us do, sir," remarked Paul; "so if you will jump aboard we'll
soon be off."

"Well, I'd just like to learn if there is anything you Boy Scouts don't
know how to handle?" observed the pleased agent, as he saw the two lamps
put back in position, though only one was allowed to remain lighted.

It took them but a short time to draw close to the farmhouse by the pond.

Mr. Pender jumped out and advanced through the darkness toward the door.
Just as he reached it the boys, looking, saw it open. Then the voice of
Sol Smithers came plainly to them.

"Wall, did yuh run acrost the bag, Brad? I guessed 'twas on'y layin' down
the road a piece. But what yuh mean apushin' in on me thetaways?"

"You're my prisoner, Silas Westover. Don't try to run, or it will be the
worse for you. I have plenty of help and your place is surrounded. Wash
and Brad are already in irons. Hold up your hands!" came in the stern
voice of Mr. Pender.

Of course the man who had called himself Solus Smithers did not offer any
resistance, and he was quickly made a prisoner. When he found later that
one man, assisted by a parcel of Boy Scouts, had captured three desperate
characters, he was about as mad as a hornet; but it was too late then
to remedy matters.

Paul and Jack immediately started a search for the missing Willie Boggs.
The youngster was discovered fast asleep on a cot, just as the man who
had found him in the woods had lain him down.

And when Mr. Pender saw this he nodded his head, and declared that
because Solus had shown that he possessed a tender heart, for all his
assumed fierceness, he would make it as easy for him when the case to
trial, as he could.

After Mr. Pender had searched the place, and accumulated what evidence
he needed, all of them got into the car, Willie still sound asleep. Then
they started over the road for Stanhope.

The town was reached at just one o'clock. At police headquarters Mr.
Pender delivered his three prisoners for safe keeping. After that Paul
again took the red car out to bring in the remainder of the patrol, for
they were miles away from home.

CHAPTER XXX

FOUND OUT AT LAST

"Why, hello! Paul! I didn't hear you ring. Did you fly in through the
window?"

Jack sprang up from the easy chair he had been occupying in the library
of his own home, when his chum suddenly appeared before him.

It was about ten o'clock on the morning following the hunt for the lost
boy; and the remarkable occurrences that had accompanied it up in the
woods above Stanhope.

"Oh! you know I told you I might slip in by the back door this time; and
that is just what I did," replied Paul, speaking in an unusually guarded
tone.

"That's a fact!" exclaimed Jack, beginning to show signs of excitement;
"and I remember that at the same time you promised--"

"I'd try my best to solve the puzzle about those disappearing old coins,
and tell you to-day," said his chum, breaking in. "Well, perhaps I may,
though my most promising clue has turned out a bit of a fizzle."

"But you have another up your sleeve, you said?" continued Jack, eagerly.

"Yes, I believe I have," Paul admitted. "Some time later, when we get
this queer affair off our hands, I want to talk with you about a lot of
things connected with this scout movement. I got some good ideas from a
bunch of papers left at our house for me. Guess who remembered us in
such a bully way?"

"Give it up. I might mention every gentleman in town, and then some,"
laughed Jack; "for they're all watching what we're doing, with interest.
But go on and tell me who it was, Paul."

"Mr. Peleg Growdy," came the surprising answer.

"Well, you don't say?" exclaimed his chum, delight showing in his voice;
"so the old man has really seen a great light, has he? I guess he's
taking more interest in our troop than anybody else in town. That night's
work was the best thing that ever happened for the boys of Stanhope, as
well as for Peleg. I take off my cap to him after this, Paul."

"But wait; that isn't all. You know that Si Growdy is a nephew of his?
Well, he's without a home no longer. Peleg sent for him, and they had a
long talk. Si told me this morning that he's really been adopted by his
uncle, and is going to make his home with him. What d'ye think of that,
Jack?"

"Just immense, that's what," declared his companion, slapping a hand on
Paul's shoulder; "I'm glad we went there and cleaned up the old man's
dooryard. Some of the boys thought it silly at the time; but they
understand things better now. He was just needing something like that to
touch his heart. Up to then he thought all boys were pests. We opened his
eyes some, eh?"

"That's right, we did. But about those coins!" said Paul, smiling once
more.

"Yes, first tell me who it was you suspected that has turned out
innocent?" asked his chum.

"There he lies yonder, sleeping, with one eye open and watching us!"
remarked Paul, pointing across the room.

"What! Carlo! You actually suspected him of taking my coins? Why, Paul,
whatever put that notion into your head?" demanded Jack, in sheer
astonishment.

"Well," returned Paul; "perhaps it was silly, but then you've taught him
to fetch a basket from the baker's, and do lots of stunts. I didn't know
but what the sly old chap might be helping himself to your coins, and
palming them off on the butcher for a supply of bones."

"That would have been the limit!" gasped his friend. "But you found out
that he was innocent, did you?"

"I finally went in and talked with Mr. Griggs; but he said Carlo just
came in once in a while, looking so pitifully at him, that he didn't have
the heart to refuse a bone. So none of your lost coins have gone into his
till, Jack."

"Oh! that would have been the queerest thing ever, had he done it. But
now about the other clue you have--tell me about it, Paul," continued
the anxious one. Paul had seated himself where he could keep an eye down
the street in front of the house. And while his chum was talking he had
smiled as if he might have discovered something out there that pleased
him very much.

"Come right up to your den with me, Jack, and leave Carlo shut in here,"
he said, rising; "and when we get upstairs open the window to air the
room. Then I shall ask you to let me hide there behind something, while
you go downstairs, pass out, and along the street in plain view."

"Say, that's a mighty queer thing to do," ventured the other.

"It's all a part of my plan. You must leave the door of the den open too.
And Jack, after you get around the corner I want you to sneak back to the
rear of the house, and come up again, crawling into the den here, if
everything is quiet."

"Oh! all right, if you say so, Paul," Jack observed; "but you've sure got
me guessing to beat the band, right now. Here's the window open. Now
shall I get busy, and meander off?"

"Right away. Please carry it out just as I said. You ought to be back
here inside of six or seven minutes; and I guess that will be time enough
before the circus begins, Jack."

So the owner of the little den at the top of the house gave his chum one
last look of bewilderment, and turning, hastened down the stairs.

Paul, with a glance around, chose a certain corner for his hiding-place.
Here he could see without exposing himself to view; and squatting down he
prepared to await developments.

A minute later he got up, and moved an old screen partly across the
floor, so that it hid the open door. When Jack returned, he could crawl
alongside the hiding boy without showing himself to any one in the room,
or beyond the window.

Hardly had five minutes crept by when Paul heard a slight sound. It came
from the stairs, and he smiled, knowing that his chum had lost no time in
carrying out his part of the plot.

So Jack came sliding in, and was soon nestling down at Paul's side,
brimming over with curiosity, yet deterred from asking questions by the
fact that Paul had put up a warning finger.

Several more minutes passed by, when Jack was thrilled to see something
moving in the direction of the partly open window. It seemed to be a
long cane fishing rod, that had a dark colored lump at the end of it.

The rod continued to advance slowly into the den. It was, of course, in
the hands of some one perched in the window of the attic belonging to the
empty house so close by; and Jack could easily guess now who that person
must be.

Scissors Dempsey, once his friend, but latterly a crony of Ted Slavin!

Now the end of the rod seemed to hover above the little box containing
all that were left of Jack's old coins. And even as he and Paul looked
they saw it descend until the light box was tilted partly over, when the
point of the long rod was pushed into it vigorously. Jack was reminded
somewhat of a human hand groping about. And then, as the fishing pole was
rapidly withdrawn, he saw one of his few remaining old coins sticking to
the black lump at its terminus!

The game was now clear. Scissors, inspired by a love of fun, or a desire
to mystify Jack, perhaps make him suspect that one of his chums was
taking the coins, had come every day into this empty house belonging to
his father. Whenever he found the window in Jack's den open he amused
himself with this strange fishing.

Paul beckoned to his chum, and then silently crept out of the den, which
he was easily enabled to do, thanks to the screen he had placed to cover
the open door.

Once down on the next landing Jack clutched his sleeve.

"Well, would you dream of such a thing as that?" exclaimed the latter,
nearly ready to explode with laughter, yet feeling a bit angry at the
same time. "What under the sun d'ye suppose he's doing such a stunt for,
Paul?"

"We'd better put it up to Scissors," replied the other, quickly.

"Then you suggest waiting for him as he comes out, and telling him we
know all about his fishing for my coins?" asked Jack.

"Come along. He might be satisfied with just one to-day. You see it's
getting harder, with so few left in the box," and Paul led the way
downstairs again.

"But what's he got on the end of that pole?" demanded his chum.

"I think it must be a lump of rather soft tar, or pitch," came Paul's
answer, readily enough. "I found a little on one of the coins left the
last time we examined them; and you said that the fourth stuck to the
side of the box. Yes, that's what it is. Now, let's wait over by the
front door, for that's the way he goes in."

Five minutes later the front door of the empty house opened, and a tall
boy, with spindly legs, came slily out. He stopped to turn a key in the
lock. Then, as he wheeled, it was to find himself facing two fellows who
were probably the very last boys in Stanhope he expected to see.

"Just in time to explain how you came to think of that clever little
fishing dodge of yours, Scissors," remarked Paul; "and to give back all
those old coins you've been raking in so smartly. Thought it lots of fun,
didn't you? And meant to twist my chum up so he'd think one of his own
crowd had been taking them?"

"Yes," Jack said, in turn, looking as angry as he could; "and if you
don't turn every blessed copper piece over to me right away, there's
going to be trouble at your house, understand that, Scissors?"

The guilty one turned red in the face. Then he laughed as though he
wanted to consider it a joke.

"Oh! come off!" he exclaimed, with a gesture of disgust; "can't you take
a little fun, Jack? Of course I meant to give 'em all back again, after
I'd had my sport out of the game, and got the last coin. They're upstairs
here, right now. Come along in, and I'll show you. The slick trick is
gone up in smoke now, anyway; since you got on to my curves. But I
wouldn't make such a big fuss over nothing."

"It wasn't the coins, because they don't count for much; but just think
how I felt at even suspecting that some fellow who was my friend had been
taking them," said Jack, as he and Paul followed Scissors into the empty
house.

And from the sneer on the other's face as he looked back, Paul was
inclined to believe that this was just what he had been doing the thing
for. He disliked Jack as much now as he had once cared for him; and would
probably enjoy nothing better than to see him turn on some friend,
perhaps even his best chum.

The coins were found, as he had said, in a marble-bag in the attic. While
Jack was counting them, Paul knelt at the window, and experimented with
the long fishing rod he found on the floor. He discovered that he could
manage to tilt the little box on the table quite easily, though it needed
some labor before he brought one of the coins across the open space,
glued to the pitch at the point of the rod.

"All there, ain't they?" demanded Scissors.

"Yes," replied Jack; "though so sticky I'll have to wash them in
something like benzine. Perhaps you did do it for a lark, Scissors; but
I'll make sure that a screen is in that window whenever it's open after
this."

"Huh! I guess the feller that invented this racket could get up somethin'
just as good if he wanted," and that was all Scissors ever said about
it to the boy he had wronged.

Jack, having recovered his property, did not care to do anything further
about the robbery. Later on Scissors himself told his cronies, thinking
it to his credit; and they more than a few times tried to joke Jack about
his disappearing coins. But he took it all in good humor, and after a
while the thing was apparently forgotten, because the boys of Stanhope
had many other things of importance to engage their undivided attention.

CHAPTER XXXI

WELL DONE STANHOPE TROOP!--CONCLUSION

Days and weeks passed.

In season and out, the boys of industrious Stanhope Troop worked. Never
had the good people known such a wave of enthusiasm to sweep over the
town on the Bushkill. It seemed as catching as the measles, this spirit
of energy, and a desire to do things worth while, which had taken
possession of most of the boys.

Parents got together, and conferring, admitted that this new fad was by
all odds the best thing that had ever happened. They determined to
encourage it to the limit. Even those who were doubtful at the start,
found themselves obliged to admit that never before had Stanhope
presented such a clean appearance; and not within the recollection
of the oldest inhabitant had boys been so obliging.

After the Stanhope Troop had been fully received into the National
organization an efficient scout master was finally secured in the person
of a young man by the name of Alec Gordon. He had lately come from
visiting across the water, where he had enjoyed the personal acquaintance
of several leading lights in the scout movement in England. Besides that,
he was naturally fond of the woods, and best of all, filled with a deep
love for the boy of to-day.

Under his guidance the troop prospered, and made rapid progress along the
lines started by Paul. The only trouble about the whole matter was that
Mr. Gordon, being a traveling man, was liable to be called away just when
his presence might be most needed.

Several times this had occurred, and feeling the need of leaving a deputy
to fill his place, he put it up to the boys themselves. Of course there
had not been a dissenting vote; and Paul was elected to play the part of
guide, should an emergency arise; and in this way he became assistant
scout master of the troop.

They need have no fear concerning his ability to fill the rôle. He
had proven equal to the task before now; and there were not a few,
particularly among those acknowledging the magical Red Fox as their
totem, who secretly cherished a belief that Paul knew more about the
secrets of Nature than any _two_ mature scout masters.

Every chance that offered the scouts were abroad, as busy as bees in the
honey season; only instead of laying up sweets these energetic chaps
sought new information. They followed the trails of fox, 'coon and
rabbit; they watched the habits of the noisy crows holding a caucus in
the woods; they kept company with the red squirrel and the frolicsome
chipmunk as they stored away the chestnuts and juicy hickories for their
winter's supply of food.

And on every occasion they labored to make themselves perfect in those
branches of wood lore, and the knowledge of useful things, which they
expected would play a prominent part in the approaching competition.

Just as Paul and Wallace had predicted, it was found that nearly every
fellow had a love for Nature and her wonderful secrets somewhere in his
system; even though with a few this breath had to be fanned vigorously in
order to keep it alive.

Of course they were annoyed again and again by Ted Slavin and his envious
followers; for the bully of the town had drifted back to his old ways, as
might have been expected.

When peaceful tactics failed to stop these malicious tricks, the scout
master personally appealed to the authorities, and a warning was issued
that, for a time at least, dismayed the disturbers of the meetings. But
when they could do so in secret, they never lost an opportunity to play
some sly trick.

Another thing that had been anticipated came to pass. This was the utter
failure of Ward's cronies to maintain any interest in the duties of
scouts. Those twelve cardinal virtues that must at all times be held up
before the fellow who expects to become and remain a Boy Scout in good
standing, failed to appeal to these rough and ready chaps. It would
indeed require a revolution in boy nature to make Ted Slavin, or his
crony, Scissors, trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient to his superior officers, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean and reverent!

Just a few days before Thanksgiving the scout master came to Paul with
the distressing news that he had received an imperative summons from his
firm to go out on the road; so that it would debar him from being present
when the long-looked-for-competition took place.

"But," said Mr. Gordon, as he shook Paul by the hand earnestly; "I firmly
believe that you will be able to fill my place so well that my absence
will not make the slightest difference," and Paul, of course, simply said
he would do his best.

The fellows of Stanhope Troop knew full well what that "best" meant.

But as the boys of Manchester Troop and that of Aldine as well, learned
through some of their energetic scouts, what a strong bid these patrols
of the Fox were going to make, in the hope of winning that coveted
banner, they seemed to be stirred to make new endeavors.

Paul managed to keep advised of pretty much all that was going on; since
this was a part of a scout's duty; though no mean advantage was ever
taken of the rival camps--he would not stand for that. In a quiet way he
had learned how their meetings became more frequent, and the desire to
excel, that had threatened to dwindle away for lack of rivalry, grew more
keen.

Paul was glad of it. Competition is the life of trade; but it also
encourages boys to do their level best. There would be a brave fight for
that banner; and no walk-over. The troop that won it might well be proud
of the honor. And Paul was still full of faith. He watched his scouts go
through their various interesting stunts with a growing conviction that
they must stand at the head when the day came for the meeting, and the
report of the committee appointed to make the test was declared.

He knew that fortune had been very kind in allowing himself and Jack to
make a heavy score in favor of Stanhope Troop. The stopping of the
runaway horse, and the saving of the baby at the fire would bring them
many points. Then there was the wonderful letter from Washington, on
official paper too, in which Mr. Jared Pender told the story of how much
he had been helped by the Red Fox patrol in his task of capturing those
desperate rascals who were flooding the whole country with their bogus
money.

But Paul was determined that, aside from the help afforded by these
glorious deeds, the boys of Stanhope should excel all others in their
knowledge of woodcraft, and the valuable things every boy with red blood
in his veins should possess.

So they kept up the good work after the scout master had left them.

Long since had Bobolink received his bugle, and William his drum. Both
proved very able in managing these musical instruments, and the shrill
notes of the one, and the roll of the other, had become very familiar and
acceptable sounds in Stanhope these fall days, when the first snow made
its appearance.

Already had they planned a great camp for the next summer, and there was
talk of a grand hike into the almost unknown, to them, country far to the
north. What strange adventures were destined to befall them during this
eventful outing, together with the fun that William and Bobolink afforded
the troop, will be recounted in the next volume, to be called: "The
Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain."

Even at school the teachers noticed that things seemed to move along much
more smoothly than ever before. Some of them were inclined to suspect
that a miracle had been wrought in boy nature; until it was shown that
there were still quite a number of transgressors, and that not one of the
bad ones belonged to the scouts. That opened their eyes, and after such
evidence they were one and all heartily in favor of the organization that
kept lads interested, taught them every noble duty that would make them
better men later on, caused them to be manly, heroic, self-confident in
time of sudden peril, and able to stand up for their rights.

Thanksgiving came at last.

The entire county showed a keen interest in the rivalry of the three
troops for leadership. Each had its sturdy backers, who believed their
home company to be the best; and hence when the choice of situation fell
to Manchester, it looked as though nearly the entire population of
Stanhope and Aldine had also gathered to cheer their favorites on.

The competition was keenly contested. A dozen different events had been
scheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elements
that would enter into the struggle; and the scout master of each patrol
had been notified, so that he might select those most competent to
succeed.

Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working with
those who excelled in these various lines. Nothing was left undone to
make them proficient in their work. When the critical time came, and
before the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to take
the test, Paul believed that success was sure to come.

Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every school
flag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid.
Scores upon scores of pretty girls clapped their hands, and sang
patriotic songs that had reference to their particular town, whenever
a Stanhope, a Manchester or an Aldine competitor started to prove his
superior knowledge of the arts of woodcraft.

Wallace Carberry brought the first honors to the Red Fox patrol. He had
his quart of water boiling a full minute before either of his rivals;
and retired amid thunderous applause. Wallace would show up in several
other events, for he was the mainstay of Paul's contesting delegation.

Then came other interesting object lessons. Many present failed to
understand altogether what they signified; but they were patriotic, and
ready to cheer the victor to the echo.

On account of the lateness of the season several events that might have
taken place at another time were debarred, such as swimming, fishing, and
sports peculiar to the good old summer time.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of others equally as interesting. Three
boys entered as contestants in the rapid photography class. They took a
snap shot at a given word, darted into separate prepared dark rooms,
developed their plates, dried the same, each after his own fashion, and
presented a completed picture before the other competitions were done.

Meanwhile three others showed just how a scout should learn to follow a
difficult trail, where all manner of obstacles stood in the way. While
the crowd could not fully understand just how this was done, the
committee seemed unanimous in awarding the victory once more to Wallace,
for he had not made a single error, and he finished ahead of his rivals.

Others were set to work tying ten difficult knots, and the fun waxed fast
and furious as they worked their nimble fingers, keeping an eye on each
other the while.

In another place three tents were given to squads of boys from each
patrol, and at the word they set to work to erect the same, dig a water
drain in case of rain, and have everything in "apple-pie" shape. The
committee gave plain warning that it was not speed alone that would count
here, but the general ship-shape condition following the carrying out of
the conditions.

And again the boys of the Stanhope Troop came in winners by a good
margin.

Manchester drew a prize when the contest of landing a big fish came on.
A boy played the part of the fish, and fought with all his strength and
cunning to keep from being reeled in. But big Carl Evans, the Manchester
fisherman, proved to be too strong and able for those who competed, and
had his fish landed minutes ahead.

The archers then took a turn. Here Aldine presented a clever expert, who
had made this his especial hobby for some years. He could not be headed,
though the other fellows from Stanhope and Manchester really made a very
creditable showing.

One of the most interesting exhibitions of the morning, and one that
excited considerable cheering, was the "first aid to the injured."

A boy was supposed to have fallen overboard into the river. In each case
several contestants pretended to drag him out, placing him face downward,
with his arms above his head, and his face a little to one side. Then one
of the rescuers knelt astride the body, allowing his hands to press upon
the spaces between the short ribs. By pressing downward the air was
forced from the other's lungs, to creep in again when this was relaxed;
and in this fashion an artificial respiration was induced that should
grow stronger as minutes passed.

Of course, as no boy was so accommodating as to fall into the cold waters
of the Bushkill for the occasion, the contestants finished at the same
time. The committee, after mature consultation, awarded the victory to
the team accomplishing their work in the most business-like fashion.
Aldine was so fortunate as to receive the award, and her people shouted
themselves hoarse.

In athletics the three competing troops proved very nearly even; and
brought out rounds of cheers as they followed one another in carrying
out the several events scheduled.

Possibly when William proved his great superiority as a camp cook, by
making the batter, and cooking a luscious flap-jack long before any other
fellow could accomplish the feat, his victory was the most popular one of
the day. Fully five score of fellows made motions to prove they were
starved, and that a bite from the airy pancake would possibly serve as
a life saver. But after the committee had tested it, William calmly
devoured the balance, to the tune of mingled groans and cheers.

Last of all came the wig-wagging contest, when boys sent and received
messages fashioned by the committee, the nature of which was unknown at
the other end. In this Stanhope again made a record that put her boys in
the van, for Paul had secured and studied the army manual on using the
signal flags, and to good advantage.

After the twelfth and last event had been completed, the committee went
into session, examined the papers they already held, and finally
announced that Stanhope had carried off the prize with six clean events,
the others being equally divided between the two clever troops from the
other towns.

It was undoubtedly a popular victory, judging from the record-breaking
volume of noise that greeted the announcement. What else the chairman
would have said, with regard to the great good the establishment of these
patrols had brought to the county, was drowned in the wild clamor.

Paul, acting for the absent scout master, accepted the beautiful banner
presented by the good old Quaker who loved peace above all things. He was
immediately swept off his feet, and carried in triumph around the field,
waving the emblem that would from that hour stamp the Stanhope Troop as
the Banner Boy Scouts of the county.

Little Paul cared that some frowned, or that Ward Kenwood sneered as the
procession marched past. Close by he could see the happy face of Arline,
together with those of his parents; and it satisfied him to know that
through his unflagging perseverance he had been able to land his scouts
in the van.

Other trials and contests would doubtless have to be encountered; but
with that banner to encourage then the Fox patrols could meet each
emergency as it arose, and struggle on through difficulties to a glorious
success.

THE END

End of Project Gutenberg's The Banner Boy Scouts, by George A. Warren