ext we knew we were being trampled on and the tent was down
about our ears. Have you looked about here carefully, Mr. Grubb?"

"For what?" returned Janus quickly.

"For thpookth," Tommy replied pertly.

"Pshaw!"

"I mean have you looked where the horses were tied," explained Harriet.
"You did examine the halters. You say they were broken, not cut. I
think we should look further."

"Yes. I agree with Harriet that we ought to make a careful search of
the ground about the camp," said Miss Elting. "We cannot afford to
miss opportunities that might solve this mystery. I wish you and the
driver would make a start," she urged.

"All right. Where's the lantern?" demanded Janus.

"It went down with the bridge," Harriet informed him. "We have
another, a smaller one, but I hardly think it will be of much use for
our purpose. I'll tell you what. Why not use some of the dry pitch
pine roots that you gathered?" suggested Harriet. "They are ready to
burn and will make excellent torches. We have plenty of kindling wood
without them."

"An excellent idea," approved the guardian.

Janus glanced at Jim and nodded. "I told you so," chuckled the guide.
"I knew she could suggest something."

Janus gathered up some roots, whittling one end of each stick into a
sunflower-like bunch of shavings. These ends he lighted, whereat the
torches flared up into flickering, smoking flames. The guide led the
way, followed by the entire Meadow-Brook party, Margery Brown having
become so interested as to forget her troubles for the moment, though
the lump on her head was still large and painful.

Just before reaching the trees where the horses had been tied, Miss
Elting suggested that all save the guide and Harriet stop where they
were.

"If so many of us go forward we shall not only be likely to miss any
clues there are, but perhaps destroy them altogether. I have an idea
that we are going to find something that will enlighten us," she added.

"That's good, common sense," agreed the guide, nodding his approval.

"Is there anything you wish us to do, Mr. Grubb?" asked Miss Elting.

"Little Brownie is the pilot," replied Janus jocularly, waving a hand
in Harriet Burrell's direction. "Whatever she suggests, we will do.
We can't do any better than to follow her lead."

Harriet's cheeks flushed. She had taken a torch and began slowly to
circle the trees to which the horses had been tied upon arriving at the
camp site. At f