one of half a dozen places, it might have made us fall.
And Frank, that would be just criminal, you know."

"I suppose you noticed that puff of smoke below us?" Frank went on.

"It just happened that I was looking down, and I saw it burst out of a
thicket," came the answer.

"It was the same way with me," Frank continued. "I had just a glimpse
of some fellow throwing himself under the bushes but if you asked me I
couldn't say for certain whether it was a man or a boy."

"Just like he was afraid of being seen, and recognized; is that what
you mean?" asked Andy.

"It looked that way," Frank replied.

"Don't you see, Frank, he gave himself away in doing that? First, he
knew he was doing a dirty mean act; and second, he must have been
somebody we knew, or he wouldn't have been so afraid of being seen."

"That's so, Andy. Another thing, perhaps it may not have struck you
that once before you and I met with an adventure while almost over the
same spot."

Andy gave vent to an exclamation that told of excitement revived.

"You mean the time we sighted those two skulking jewelry thieves, the
fellows who had robbed Leffingwell's store, and were hiding until the
row quieted down?"

"Yes, Jules Garrone, and his pal," Frank went on.

"Jules was the one who had been an aviator over in France, and who
tried to steal our Bug, meaning to fly away, and leave no trail behind
for the hunting police. But Frank, you can't possibly believe Jules
was the fellow who fired that shot? It don't stand to reason; because
you know, he was sent to the penitentiary for ten years. Oh! no, I
guess we'll have to think up something else this time," and Andy shook
his head vigorously in the negative.

"Well, time may tell," Frank said, simply.

"Looky here, Frank, now there's no use denying it, I know you've got
some sort of idea about finding out who that rascal was," declared Andy.

"Well, perhaps there is some sort of hazy notion hovering around in my
brain, that I ought to learn more about him," the other smiled back.
"This thing of being made a target by any fool who happens to own a
rifle is something that ought to be stopped with a jerk. Yes, I do
expect to try and find out."

"And you won't tell me what's on your mind?" asked Andy.

"Not just now. It's too uncertain to speak of, yet. And perhaps,
after all, it was only some boy, who thought it would be smart to give
us a little shock; and who sent his bullet closer than