ots, climb over the
wood-pile," Jet suggested.

To this plan Harvey would not listen.

He first sent the new-comers to beat the thicket on this side, for the
purpose of learning if any of the enemy were in the vicinity, and, when
they returned with the information that no one had been seen, he
advanced to the very edge of the bushes, where the signal was given.

"They won't be likely to answer it after having been fooled this
morning," Jet suggested, and, without waiting for orders, he stepped
beyond the shelter of the trees.

Instantly he did so one of the besieged appeared at the window, and
hailed:

"Are you alone?"

"There are three besides me," Jet replied, and the words were hardly
out of his mouth before the remainder of the party came into view.

"Are you all right?" Harvey shouted.

"Except for being mighty hungry and thirsty."

"Have you seen anything of the enemy?"

"Not since early this morning. It's my opinion that they have skipped
after trying to get in here."

"We can soon find out," Harvey said. "We'll go boldly up to the gate,
and before it is torn down we shall know how many are in the vicinity."

During the time Jet and the two men were forcing an entrance nothing
more was heard from the adjoining woods, and when the party entered the
yard it was with the belief that the gang had been frightened away by
the escape of the detective and Jet, and the disappearance of their
leader.

"It won't do to take chances," Harvey said, as his friends opened the
door of the house. "Go out with these gentlemen who have just arrived,
and make careful search. The boy and I will care for things here."

This order was obeyed after the detective had been assisted into the
building, and the horse fastened in the stable.

The prisoner was occupying the same position as when Jet saw him last,
and appeared to be thoroughly tired of the whole business.

"If you had brought up some food we might have stayed here until
morning; but as it is I reckon we must make a move pretty soon."

"How strange that I never thought of such a thing," Jet replied, and
straightway he began to blame himself, until his companion said
soothingly:

"After what you have gone through with, it is not strange such a thing
should have escaped your mind. We shan't suffer very much if we don't
get anything for a few hours more."

A short time later the searchers returned laden down with provisions,
and reported that they faile