TANT JACK FELT HIMSELF HURLED OUT INTO
THE DARKNESS.]

"Here's one," it said.

Only with difficulty did Jack avoid betraying himself. It was the voice
of the man "Watts"!

"What is it?" inquired a second voice.

Through a crack a light appeared. "Silk," announced Watts.

"A good weight, too," he added, tipping the box. "Catch hold."

The packing-case was caught up; and rocked and jolted, Jack felt himself
carried for what he judged a full quarter-mile. As the men slowed up a
gleam of moonlight showed through the knot-hole, and peering forth he
discovered a tree-lined road, and a two-horse wagon.

Sliding the box into the rear of the wagon, and well to the front, the
men disappeared. The wait that followed was to Jack the most trying
experience of the evening. Had the detective safely landed? Was there not
a possibility of the larger box having been shattered? Or sufficiently
broken to reveal its true contents, and disclose the plot to the
freight-robbers? And what then would be his fate?

These and many other disquieting possibilities passed through Jack's
mind, causing him several times as the minutes went by to finger the
hooks and buttons which would permit of his escape. Finally snapping
twigs, then heavy, stumbling footfalls allayed his anxiety, and the two
men reappeared, staggering under the box containing the officer.

With difficulty the unsuspecting thieves raised the heavy packing-case to
the tail-board of the wagon.

"It won't go in," said Watts' companion.

"Push this way a little," Watts directed.

"I can't--_Look out!_" There was a scramble, and the box crashed to the
ground. At the same moment came a muffled exclamation, and Jack caught
his breath. Was it the detective? If so, had the others overheard it?

With relief, however, he heard Watts, who apparently was the chief of the
gang, call his companion a mule, and order him to catch hold again. The
box this time was successfully slid aboard; and at once the two men
climbed to the seat, and the wagon rumbled off.

As they rattled along over a badly-kept road Jack gave as close attention
to the passing scenery as his limited view permitted, in order that he
might be able to find his way back to the railroad if it should prove
necessary. This did not promise to be difficult. On either side the dim
moonlight showed an unbroken succession of trees, and also that the
robbers were continuing in one direction--apparently due south.

For what s