Greatly puzzled by this dialogue, wondering who the newcomers were and wondering why Jed and his companion had thus been captured, the Hardy boys rose slightly from their hiding place to get a better view of proceedings.
Just then they heard a heavy footstep in the bushes immediately behind them.
They dropped again to the earth, but it was too late. They had been seen.
"Who's there?" growled a husky voice, and some one came plunging in through the bushes toward them.
Frank got to his feet and scrambled wildly for safety. Joe did likewise. The man behind them gave a loud shout.
"Here's some more of 'em!" he called.
Joe tripped over a root and went sprawling. In the darkness it was almost impossible to see a clear way to safety. Frank paused to help his brother to his feet, and their pursuer was upon them. He seized Frank by the coat collar.
One of the other men came crashing through the underbrush.
"I've caught 'em!" announced their captor. "Two more."
The newcomer emerged from a thicket and pounced on Joe.
"Good work!" he said exultantly.
