n
automobiles were an unknown luxury; and certainly no provision had
ever been made for such a contraption passing along that crooked
trail, with its numerous sharp curves intended to avoid natural
obstacles. Three separate times already had Hugh brought the car
to a full stop, and even caused the engine to cease its throbbing.
This was done in order that all of them might strain their hearing,
in hopes of catching some faint sound to tell that the missing boy
whom they sought was close at hand.

But only disappointment succeeded each attempt to pick up information.
They caught the dismal hooting of an owl in some dead tree not far
away, but certainly such a doleful sound did not raise their spirits
materially. Several times while they were moving along Owen had seen
a movement amidst the brush that gave him a little thrill; but the
glimpses he obtained of the disappearing animal convinced him in
one instance that it was a red fox that scurried off in alarm; while
on the second occasion he rather imagined it was only a ring-tailed
raccoon scuttling away and badly frightened by the intense white glow
that bad suddenly penetrated his dark quarters.

If there was a wildcat within twenty miles of the spot they certainly
never knew of it, because no such beast of prey disclosed its presence
to them while they continued on their way.

But then there were plenty of thrills for the boys. Not only did the
weird hooting of that horned owl come to make their flesh creep, but
now and again they detected strange sounds that may have been caused
by limbs of the trees rubbing together in the night breeze, but which
had a wonderful resemblance to human groans.

They had been pursuing their way along for some little time without
much attempt at conversation; but it is pretty hard for a parcel of
boys to remain long silent, no matter what the provocation. And
Horatio, for one, felt urged to free his mind of certain fancies that
had taken lodging there.

"I say, fellows, doesn't this beat everything you ever saw all hollow?"
he went on to say, for there was really no need of their keeping quiet;
since they had not started out to steal a march upon any enemy,---only
to find poor lost K.K.

"Just listen to that awful groaning sound, will you? If I didn't know
it was caused by the limbs of trees sawing across each other in the
wind I'd think somebody was almost dying."

"At another time I guess we wouldn't bother our heads abou