he could into the woods!" said Jack.

"That looks like he meant to try and keep it," suggested Jack; "I imagine
that the leather grip holds something that took Ted's fancy. But all the
same I reckon it isn't going to be easy sledding for him. Will he run,
fellows?"

"He's debating that same question now; but it's too late. He waited just
half a minute too long," Paul remarked, as a sudden flash of dazzling
light shot around a bend a short distance ahead, and the red car with the
khaki-colored top came into view, making fairly fast time.

They could dimly see the inmates apparently surveying the road ahead with
the utmost eagerness, as though anxious to make a discovery. The loss of
that bag must have rather upset their plans, and given them a jolt.

Every one of the five hidden scouts crouched low, so that their faces
might not be discovered by that fierce white glow.

Plainly to their ears was borne the shouts of the men in the machine, as
they discovered the figure of Ted on the road. The Stanhope bully had
evidently made up his mind that the bag was well worth struggling for,
and that he must make some sort of a fight to retain possession of it.

Paul could guess what his plan of operations would be. He had seen Ted
play innocent more than once before, when caught in the act of doing some
mean thing. And as a rule the fellow could carry out the game fairly
well.

But he was up against a different proposition now; and these keen-eyed
men were not apt to be hoodwinked so easily as a parcel of schoolboys.

Ted stood there, looking at the car that was bearing down upon him.

No doubt he had assumed the innocent air of a rustic, and tried to make
himself appear as stupid as he could. The two men in the red car were no
longer calling, for they had seen that the boy on the road showed no
signs of wanting to run.

As they bore down upon the spot the car slowed up, and came to a full
stop within a few yards of the waiting Ted. Every scout lying in the
screen of bushes held his breath as he listened to catch what was going
to follow.

"Say, gimme a ride, mister?"

That was Ted speaking, before either of the men could say the first word.
Indeed they were too busy clambering out of the car to surround him, and
cut off any chance of escape, to think of anything else.

Without answering they bore down on Ted, and he found himself confronted
by two eager faces, while a rough hand clutched his arm.

"He ain't got it