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162 they had gained some valuable information, and wished to confer concerning it.

"Come off here a bit, Joey, till we talk it over. Got the whole afternoon before us, you know. Lie there, boy. You'll larn after a bit what we expect to do with you. We can make you worth something to us yet, I reckon."

So saying he gave Frank a kick with the point of his shoe, that made the youth squirm a little. Then both men strolled away out of Frank's sight.

He knew that they would not be apt to go far. Meanwhile, if the boys might only show up along the trail! Frank rolled over and over, his idea being to change his position, and even in a small measure broaden the distance separating him from his captors.

Minutes passed, and Frank managed to get on his knees, so as to watch for the coming of the squad of hounds. He heard what seemed to be a call, as if one boy had shouted to his mates to wait until he could catch up.

Surely the men must have also heard this. It would be apt to put them on their guard, since the fact of others being around threatened their plans with disaster.

He anticipated that they would be coming back to carry him further into the forest. If this happened Frank intended shouting his name again and