Part 9 (1/2)

”All right,” agreed Cora, ”but it will be well for the boys to know about it It shows that theabout here some place”

Meanwhile, Ed, Jack and Walter had done considerable searching They follohat they took to be a trail, down over the railroad tracks, through swaypsy camp!

”They left in a hurry,” declared Ed ”See, they had a ht, at least”

The remains of food and of a campfire showed that his surh to pull down an old horse blanket that hung to the ground from the low limbs of a tree ”hello! Who are you?” exclaimed Jack, for back of the improvised curtain lay a man asleep!

The other boys ran to the spot

”That's hied foot!”

The rowled He was not asleep, but pretended to be, or wanted to be

”Here!” exclai him a shove, ”wake up! We want those spoons you borrowed last night!”

The fellow pulled hi in his pocket, but the boys were too many and too quick for him

Ed and Walter had his arht Jack whipped out a strap, and while the fellow vigorously protested and exerted a desperate effort to free hi men o for the officer,” said Jack, having tied fast thethat the sore foot would not per away

”What do you want?” shouted the o, I'll----”

”Oh, no, you won't,” interrupted Ed

”A nice chap to break in on a couple of girls! Even robbers should have sorass just to relieve his feelings

”I didn't do no breaking in,” said the fellow, turning in pain ”I got kicked with a horse”

”A little iron broncho,” remarked Walter, with a suess you won't feel like running after that horse Did he run away?”

The le Walter, but he was forced to lie there helpless

Jack had gone The officer, after hearing the story, decided to ask Cora to go to the swamp to identify the e, and Cora pro after theo this very minute,” she said, ”but I know the way I will follow directly”

”No need to go into the woods,” said the officer, on second thought

”Just step down to the station house We will have hireed upon, and when Jack and the Constable had gone toward the ca Bess or Belle, who did not happen to see thesuit and started for the country police station

The road led cross-cut through a lot There were trees in the very heart of this big meadow, and when Cora reached a clump of birches she was suddenly startled to see an old wo after her Cora stopped instantly It was broad daylight, so she had no thought of fear

”What do you want?” she deypsy