he subservient
follower. Stubbs was no less brutal, when occasion served, but he was
not self reliant. He wanted some one to lead the way, and he was willing
to follow.

The two men sat down beside the cabin, and lit their pipes. Nothing was
said for a time. Dick seemed disinclined to conversation, and Stubbs was
always disposed to be silent when enjoying a smoke.

The smoke continued for twenty minutes or more.

Finally Dick withdrew the pipe from his mouth.

"Well, Dick, what do you think about it? What shall we do?" inquired his
friend.

"I am going to foller the kid."

"But you don't know where he's gone," replied Stubbs.

"No; but I may strike his track. Are you with me?"

"Of course I am."

"Then listen to me. The one that let the boy out knows the neighborhood.
The boy would naturally want to go to Groveton, and likely he would be
directed to Stover. If the kid had any money, he would ask Stover to
drive him over, or else he would foot it."

"You're right, Dick. That's what he'd do," said Stubbs, admiring his
companion's penetration.

"Then we must go over to Stover's."

"All right! I'm with you."

"I'm a poor man, Bob, but I'd give a ten dollar bill to have that kid in
my power once more."

"I don't doubt it, Dick."

"I hate to have it said that a kid like that got the advantage of Dick
Hayden."

"So would I, Bob."

"If I get hold of him I'll give him a lesson that he won't soon forget."

"And serve him right too."

The two men rose, and took their way across the fields, following
exactly the same path which our hero had traveled earlier in the
morning.

They walked with brisk steps, having a definite purpose in view. Dick
Hayden was intensely anxious to recapture Kit, whose escape had balked
him of his vengeance, and mortified him exceedingly. As he expressed it,
he could not bear to think that a boy of sixteen had got the advantage
of him.

At length they reached the red house already referred to, and saw Ham
Stover, the owner, in the yard.

"You are up betimes, Dick," said Stover. "What's in the wind?"

"Have you seen aught of a boy of sixteen passin' this way?" asked Dick,
anxiously.

"A likely lookin' lad, well dressed?"

"Yes."

"He was round here an hour ago, and took breakfast in the house."

This was true; the slight refreshment Janet had brought him having
proved insufficient to completely stay the cravings of Kit's appetite
after his night in the cabin.

"Where