Part 19 (1/2)

”Huh! looks to me like hunting for a needle in a haystack!” declared Ty, after they had been industriously at work for several minutes, without any success.

”Only one needle this time; the other's a blunt-headed pin,” chuckled Landy.

Ted began to sniff the air.

”Thought I thmelled thmoke,” he announced as Elmer looked at him suspiciously.

”Well, considering what has happened here lately,” remarked Ty, ”seems to me that wouldn't be so very queer. I'm just soaked with it, and expect to smell smoke for a month of Sundays.”

”But I thmell new thmoke!” Ted continued, positively.

”He's right, fellows; and I'm of the same opinion,” Elmer went on to say.

Landy gave a short whistle.

”Smoke, did you say, Elmer?” he exclaimed. ”My stars, boys! what if the hoboes have set fire now to the old barn? Say, what a blaze she would make, with all this hay stored here. Me to let them pigs out of the sty if it happens. It would be a shame to have roast pork when they're only part grown.”

”Do you really mean it, Elmer?” asked Ty, apparently appalled by the thought of the terrible consequences that must follow, should the pair of desperate rascals go to extremes.

”It seems to be getting stronger all the while,” observed the patrol leader, ”and look at Mr. Brady; he is sniffing the air right now, as if he didn't like it any too well. I reckon he's got the same idea I have; which is that the men are in hiding here, and being afraid that they will be found have started a fire to cover their escape. See, Mr. Brady is telling the Fairfield policemen his suspicions now, and you can see that he's given him a start too.”

”What a shame it will be if the barn goes, with all this hay,” said Landy.

”Oh, Mr. Brady's got it all insured, I reckon,” ventured Ty. ”Farmers are smart enough these days to look out for that. But it'll make a high old blaze if it gets started, I tell you, fellows.”

”But won't the thilly foolth be thetting the match to their own funeral pyre?” demanded Ted.

”Not by a jugful,” chuckled Landy. ”Ten to one they fixed all that before; and even made their old tunnel under the hay. But that smoke is sure getting heavier all the time, boys; and look there, ain't that the fire yonder? It is, as sure as you live! Good-by to the old barn, and this fine crop of hay. Say, look at it jump, will you?”

CHAPTER XV.

THE CAPTURE OF THE TRAMPS.

ELMER saw at a glance that what his comrade had declared was really true. And a loud shout from one of the searching men announced that he too had discovered the fire.

Tremendous excitement seized upon the whole party, for they could readily surmise that this new conflagration was not the result of a smoldering spark, but that it had a meaning all its own. The two desperate hoboes must have started the second blaze with the same idea in view that had urged them to put the match to the farmhouse--to divert attention while they slipped away.

That was what Elmer thought. And when most of the men rushed toward the place where the fire was already burning fiercely amidst the hay, he thought it good policy to turn his attention to another quarter.

It had flashed across his mind just then that as they pa.s.sed around the barn he had noticed a board off, with the hay sticking out of the hole.

And now it came to him what a splendid way of escape that same hole would prove, did a tunnel under the hay lead to it.

The watchers outside had been summoned by the loud cries of those within, and as they came rus.h.i.+ng through the wide open doors with the intention of trying to put down the spreading fire, Elmer saw that the very condition which those hunted hoboes must have wanted had been brought about.

Outside, the way to escape was clear, so far as brawny men went. If Lanky Jim and Shorty could only wriggle along under the hay until they arrived at that place where the board was missing, they had an open field before them, and flight meant a chance to reach the shelter of the woods beyond the fields.

”Come with me, and be quick about it, fellows,” said Elmer, in his most thrilling tone; at which Landy's big eyes opened wider than customary, ditto his mouth.