trol Leader Ernie Hunter, breaking the gaping

Harry Gilbert, who was a g

ere is no telling what those rascals are plotting. They m

y not be able to get there i

use them, but we'd better be well prepared. We're going to be late getting back, so you may as well grab some bread and dried

younger. Ernie felt a slightly nervous responsibility for the safety of the "twin babies of the bunch," as some one had already referred to them in the course of the day. Jerry,

ically; "are we, Jerry? I'm goin' along and carry my

announced with spirit. "T

the trip fast enou

snow and ice on the road make it hard traveling. We've got over two m

as anybody else in this bun

ity. "We're operating under martial law tonight, and if you insist on coming along you must expect to be tre

to eat on the run," and were dashing out along the path leading down to the road that skirted the foothill to the southward. Presently, how

onsent, reduced their pace to a walking long stride. As they proceede

station while you boys made this trip. In that way we could 'ave had a double chance of catching those bandits. If everything had gone smoothly, I might even have beaten you boys

ot him started by this time, they're not likely to get him going their way tonight

Ernie. "We've got to

n are that we saw come out of th

plied, with confident assurance. "The highwaymen who plotted this scheme doubtless belong to the rougher element o

here at the time when he usually starts home for dinner

ir. "Uncle is usually pretty shrewd, and I am pretty certain that people who try t

ound, that this is a decoy game the

et my uncle," declared Clifford.

aught once in a while,"

St. John. "It read as if a chauffeur was the brains of this plot. If

finding that note by springing any more of that stuff. You're taking an

that the boys were forced to put forth their best efforts

d to keep up with the other boys during the last three-quarters of a mile, especially when they struck a poorly broken snowdrift or a stretch of ground covered wit

acres in extent, between which and High Peak was a large stone quarry. The road ran between the "sand stretch," which, of course, was now frozen and covered with snow, a

ds from the point in the road which appea

d make our way through t

laimed Paul, excitedly, pointing

c lamps could be seen, almost hitting the sky, as the auto began to climb a steep hill. Evident

shing into the timber. "Be careful; don'

e edge, where the tree growth was not very heavy and where the snow reflected sufficient light to guide their feet. Ernie ordered that

r darkness under the trees as the automobile arrived near the Southern edge of the quarry. The boys were within easy attacking distance from the place wher

eful, and shoot up toward the tops of the trees, so as not to hit anyone. Then I'll give the order to charge, and everybody let out an India

of the automobile, with pistols leveled at the driver. The latter, according to the plan outlined in his note discovered by "Johnny Tw

commanded Ernie

ion. Without giving the two hold-up men time to determine whether the

em! Charge! No quart

idity of action, is not often surpa