Part 43 (1/2)

”Deserted!” whispered Sam. ”Where did they go to, I wonder?”

”Hus.h.!.+” returned d.i.c.k. ”They may be close enough to hear you.”

With strained ears, the Rover boys listened for some sound that might indicate the presence in that vicinity of those they were after. But they heard nothing but the call of a night bird and the far-off hoot of an owl.

”They have gone on,” said d.i.c.k, at last. ”We'll have to find the trail and follow. Maybe I'll have to light the lantern.”

”Say, let us fix the auto first--so they can't use it, if they come back!” exclaimed Tom.

”A good idea, Tom,” answered his big brother. And, as soon as d.i.c.k had lighted the lantern, Tom and Sam set to work to render the touring car unusable for the time being by turning off the flow of gasoline from the tank and disconnecting the spark plugs.

”That will keep 'em guessing for a while, if they try to run it,” was Sam's comment.

In the meantime d.i.c.k was examining the ground, and soon he found the mark of many footprints in the moss and leaves. They led along a well-defined footpath running through the woods and up something of a hill.

”They went this way,” he said. ”The fact is, I don't see how they could go any other,--the brushwood is so thick.”

”Maybe there's a house back there,” suggested Tom.

”I shouldn't be surprised. That path must lead to somewhere.”

The boys had just started to move along the footpath when from out of the darkness came an unexpected hail:

”h.e.l.lo, there! Who are you?”

The call came from ahead, and at a turn of the trail the lads saw, by the dim rays of the lantern, the form of a man, wearing a fur coat and an automobile cap.

”The driver of the car!” burst out d.i.c.k.

”I say, who are you?” called the man, coming to a halt. Evidently he was coming back to take care of the automobile, or run it away.

”h.e.l.lo, yourself!” answered d.i.c.k, boldly. ”What are you doing here this time of night?”

”Humph! Is that any of your business?” growled the man. He was evidently a rough customer and not pleased at being thus surprised.

”I don't know; perhaps,” answered d.i.c.k, drawing closer. ”Don't let him get away,” he whispered to his brothers.

The boys made a rush forward, raising their sticks as they did so, and before the man could think of retreating they had him surrounded.

”Say, look here, what does this mean?” demanded the fellow, trying to put on a bold front, although he was much disturbed.

”You'll find out what it means before we are done with you,” cried Tom, hotly. ”More than likely it means state's prison for you.”

”State's prison!” The man shrank back. ”Why--er--I haven't done anything wrong.”

”Oh, of course not!” returned d.i.c.k, sarcastically. ”Abducting two young ladies isn't wrong I suppose!”

”I didn't abduct anybody,” growled the man. ”Somebody hired my car, that's all I know. Now the job is done, and I'm going about my business.”

”Not just yet,” said d.i.c.k, quietly but firmly. ”Tell me, what have they done with the two young ladies?”