the clearing to within a dozen feet of a
brook. Then it turned abruptly and entered the thick forest, in the
direction of the lake.

Raikes stooped down, and intently examined the imprint of the snowshoes.

"What do you think of it?" he asked of Bogle.

"Not very fresh, eh?" replied Raikes.

"Exactly. The scamp is traveling at a two-forty gait. It will be wasting
time to keep this up any longer."

"And the game's not worth the candle, anyhow," added Raikes.

He looked meaningly at his companion. They moved away from Brick to a
ledge of rocks that extended clear to the brook. For several minutes
they conversed in low tones. They pointed first to the stream, and then
to the rocks on which they stood. The latter, owing to their exposed
position, had been blown full of snow. Finally the men returned to
Brick.

"We've decided to give up the pursuit," said Raikes. "Instead of
gaining, we've been falling behind."

"Sorry we brought you on such a wild-goose chase," added Bogle, "but it
can't be helped."

"I don't care much," replied Brick. "Only it's a long ways back. Are you
going with me?"

"I reckon not," said Bogle. "In fact, you had better go along with us.
You're pretty tired, lad, so I'll carry your rifle for you."

By a quick movement, he snatched the weapon.

The act and the words startled Brick. He suddenly realized that his
companion had some evil design against him.

"Give me my rifle," he said. "I can find the way back alone. The boys
are likely to meet me."

Bogle scowled savagely.

"Don't get obstinate, youngster," he said, in a sharp tone. "I told you
before that you were going with us. Now march! we have no time to lose."

Again Brick recognized the familiar chord in the man's voice. Like a
flash, he remembered where he had heard it. The discovery so angered him
that he forgot every instinct of prudence.

"I know you now," he cried. "You can't fool me with your beard and
mustache. You are the missionary who was on the train that night. You
followed me and tried to steal my pocketbook."

The ferocious expression that instantly appeared on Bogle's face told
Brick he had done a foolish thing. His dread of consequences led him to
commit another blunder. He turned and dashed at full speed across the
clearing.

A hoarse command to stop fell on his ears. He disregarded it and ran
faster. He heard crunching footsteps behind him. Then one of his
snowshoes caught in a tuft of bushes, and he spra