ig box a
little, so that it might suit his purpose better.

He did not imagine that this would appear suspicious in the eyes of the
woman, should she return for her rosary, because it was to be expected
that in a search of the cabin such changes were apt to take place.

He could still hear the chatter of many voices outside, but they were
growing fainter. Evidently Matty must have found the trail he wanted,
showing where the four Italians, together with their prisoner, had left
the concealed shack.

So, knowing the value of time in an affair like this, Elmer hastened to
crawl behind the big box.

Anyone entering the room could not see him, nor would his crouching form
be visible from the hole in the shack wall, intended as a window.

At the same time Elmer had so contrived things that, by making use of an
old bunch of straw which he allowed to hang over the edge of the table,
he was easily able to keep watch upon both openings, the window and the
door.

Then he waited patiently for something to happen.

Some minutes passed.

Outside all seemed as quiet as a Sunday in Hickory Ridge.

The sound of boyish voices had utterly died away, proving that Matty
must be showing considerable skill in leading his detachment along a
trail.

Indeed, once the presence of human beings no longer acted as a
disturbing element, a little frisky red squirrel hopped up in the open
window and peeped within the shack.

Perhaps the little chap was more or less at home there. At any rate
Elmer was pleased to see him sit up on his haunches and begin to gnaw at
a stray nut he had evidently discovered.

To his mind the red squirrel was apt to serve in place of a vidette.
Should anyone approach the shack now the little nut-cracker would give
warning by frisking away in sudden alarm.

So the wide-awake scout finds opportunities to make use of the most
ordinary and commonplace things to be met with in the woods.

Everything may have a meaning, if only the scout possesses the key of
knowledge so necessary for the unlocking of the door.

Not moving a finger Elmer simply awaited the turn of events.

And not once did he doubt the outcome, so positive was he that his
reasoning must be correct.

If the woman returned alone, he believed they ought to easily take her
prisoner; but, on the other hand, should one or more of the men
accompany her, he must expect the conditions to be changed, and alter
his own plans in consequence.

Two minu