kness that was simply intense to the last degree. They could not
see their hands before their faces, and had to literally feel their
way along.

Matt went first, with his partner holding on to the hem of his jacket.
They had progressed but a dozen feet when, on rounding a high rock,
the young auctioneer stopped once more.

"I was right," he whispered. "The wagon is directly ahead."

"How do you know?"

"I can see the lantern, which is standing on the seat."

"Then the thief must still be around," returned Andy excitedly.

"I suppose so, but I don't see any one. Come on, but don't make any
noise, or he may run away, and I think he ought to be captured and
locked up."

"Certainly he ought to be placed under arrest. I am ready. Won't he be
surprised when he sees us!"

Once again they moved forward toward where the auction wagon stood
beneath the shelter of a large tree. Matt noted that Billy had been
unharnessed and was tied to the rear, where he was engaged in making a
meal of some feed which had been given him.

"Barberry is making himself at home evidently," murmured the young
auctioneer to himself. "That fellow certainly has nerve!"

"Hold up!" suddenly cried Andy, catching the boy by the arm.

"What's up, Andy?"

"Look there, to your right!"

Matt did as directed, and saw a sight which both amazed and alarmed
him. There, by a little fire built to keep them comfortable in the
night air, sat two burly men, drinking and smoking. Neither of the
individuals was Paul Barberry.

CHAPTER XXVII.

TIMELY ASSISTANCE.

"Those fellows must be the thieves," whispered Andy, as he pointed to
the pair beneath the tree.

"I believe you are right," returned Matt. "If so, we have made a big
mistake. Neither of them is Paul Barberry, and I was almost certain he
was the thief."

"So was I, Matt. But never mind that now. What worries me is the fact
that there are two of them."

"Yes, and they both look like strong fellows," returned the young
auctioneer, as he surveyed the pair. "If they get ugly when we claim
the turn-out we may have a lively time with them."

"Well, we are in the right, and we must stick up for our own."

"Of course we'll do that," cried Matt determinedly. "But I say,
wouldn't it be best if we each got a stout stick? They may show fight
if they fancy we are beyond outside aid."

"Perhaps we can bluff them into believing that we have the village
authorities at our back," suggested Andy