Page:Redcoat (1927).djvu/216

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inspection of the wall. They pulled out many loose stones at the bottom of the wall, while the hounds sniffed eagerly at each new opening. Bud was afraid that some dog, more inquisitive than his fellows, might climb upon the wall, but none did. But even so, Bud doubted if they would have discovered the clue, as the sun was now quite hot, and the stones would not give off much scent. Finally, after half an hour, the horsemen rode away. Denby stopped and hailed Bud with a departing shot.

"We won't want you next time," he said. "We will get one of our own members to watch. We want a man who has got eyes in his head."

"All right," returned Bud, but he felt it was far from a good arrangement, for he was quite sure that since Redcoat had so successfully worked this cunning ruse three times, he would try it again and be discovered. What an ignoble end for the cunning old fox, to be treed like a stupid racoon, and then shot upon his perch, or poled off for the hounds to kill. It was an unworthy end