s, and a number of
the hired men, were discussing the occurrence, and eagerly
questioning Ruth and Alice as to what they knew and had seen. This
was little enough, however.

When Russ and Paul came up, still breathing hard after their run,
they added what they knew.

"Vy shouldn't ve make ourselves yet into a committee und all go after
him?" asked Mr. Switzer. "Dot feller ought to be caught."

"That's true enough," agreed Mr. Pertell; "but we're here to make
moving pictures, and we can't do it if the whole company chases after
that fellow."

"Besides, something might happen," remarked Mr. Sneed, gloomily. "He
might have a gun and shoot us."

"Then I'm glad you girls didn't keep on after him," said Mr. DeVere
in his hoarse voice. "I wish you would take no further part in this
affair, Ruth and Alice," and he spoke earnestly.

"Don't worry, Daddy," laughed Alice. "I'm sure, after all, that the
man isn't dangerous. He wouldn't hurt us, that's certain, for he
loaned us the use of his cabin, and he was very polite about it."

"He doesn't seem to care about us," added Ruth. "For he runs every
time he sees us. Is there anything peculiar about us?"

"Yes," said Russ, "there is."

"What?"

"I'll tell you--some other time," he informed her, and Ruth grew rosy
red.

"Well, I suppose we could go on with the barn-burning scene," said
Mr. Pertell, when the chase had been discussed in all its phases. "I
did want Sandy on hand, though, as representing his father, the owner
of the farm, in case anything happens."

"I won't own the farm much longer," said Felix Apgar sadly. "The sale
will come off next week, and then I s'pose we'll be turned out bag
and baggage, Mother."

"Oh, Pa, I hate to hear you talk that way," she said, as she put her
trembling hand in his. The old couple made a pathetic picture as
they stood together on the porch of the white house--the house that
had been their home so many years, but out of which they were soon to
be turned by a cruel shift of fate.

"Cheer up!" said Pop Snooks, who had a leisure hour. "It's always
darkest just before dawn, you know. Something may happen to save the
farm for you."

"I'm too old to believe in miracles," replied Mr. Apgar, with a shake
of his head. "Come on in the house, Mother, and we'll begin to pack.
They can't take our things from us, anyhow, though where we'll go the
Lord only knows."

"Why, you won't have to move out, even after the mortgage was
foreclo