d the railroad."

"I suppose it's safe to walk along the road here?"

"I think so, and the fields are open on both sides, anyhow, so it's a
case of Hobson's choice. We'd be seen just as easily if we walked in the
fields, and perhaps the people who own them would get after us, too. And
I think we've got troubles enough on our hands without looking for any
more."

"That's certainly true, Bessie. Yes, we'll have to stick to the road.
Anyhow, we left Jake back at the trolley station, and he's probably
still there, trying to puzzle out how we got away. And Mr. Holmes ought
to be at Tecumseh. Farmer Weeks was to stay in Jericho, so I think we've
really found a safe road at last!"

It seemed so, certainly. They met a few people and they were mostly
driving, and Bessie was hoping for a ride. But everyone they met seemed
to be going in the opposite direction, and they had crossed the railroad
tracks before a cart finally overtook them. By that time, of course,
they were ready to turn and follow the tracks to Tecumseh, so the
cheerful offer of a ride from the farmer who was driving had to be
declined.

"Oh, Dolly, we're really safe at last!" exclaimed Bessie. "They can't
touch me in this state so we can sit down and rest if we want to."

"But I don't want to, Bessie. I'd rather hurry along to Tecumseh and get
a train just as soon as we can. Wouldn't you? I think Miss Eleanor must
be awfully worried about us by this time."

"Bessie!" said Dolly, suddenly. "Look, isn't that cloud of dust on the
road there coming this way? It looks like someone on a bicycle."

It was. It was Jake Hoover, scorching along toward them, and as he
approached them they could see a look of triumph on his face. He was up
with them in a moment, and, jumping off his wheel, seized Bessie, who
was too terrified to move.

"Got yer, ain't I?" he shouted, savagely exultant. "Thought you was
mighty smart, foolin' me, didn't yer? Well, we'll see!"

"Don't you dare touch her! She's not in your state any more," stormed
Dolly, stamping her foot.

"She soon will be," he said, and picked Bessie, who was no match for
him, though she struggled, up in his arms. He started to walk back in
the direction he had come, leaving his bicycle in the road where it had
fallen.

But now Dolly, seeing Bessie treated so roughly, seemed to turn into a
little wildcat. With a furious cry she sprang at Jake, and began hitting
him with her fists, scratching him, pulling his hai