The Forest of Mystery
the Sp
s he peered inside the parked automobile. "Or if there isn't, maybe t
"Issued to Harry Walker, and the address is rural route. Let's see the description. Heigh
ght," said Joe conclusive
e fellow we think is the thief gave his name as Henry Overt
me," suggested Joe. "He could easily have
know. What do
nd see our dads. We'll have to hurry, t
wh
get our dads, and the four of us can go out to th
n wh
est him and make him ge
demanded Bob. "Wil
we? We know that the specimens that Mr. Jor
ht. Lead
house through a rear entrance. Then quietly they found
usly. The frown on their faces gave way to
find?" inquire
ve to the thief's residence bef
olen specimens. "While on our way we'll stop at a police station and pick
tler to inform Mr. Jordan of where they had gone. Then
residence of the thief, or at least the
a good start ahead of the thief," Joe's father said, as
station and secured the services of an officer. Now, with the
country road brought them to a la
. Holton, bringing the car to a stand
we're after should see it, he probably would not show up for us to ca
" Mr. Holton said, and
e lawn. As a precaution against possible danger
off," he said, his eyes on the house. "There
safely, however, and then
lse they refused to admit the str
We'd better hide around the side of the house and wait
ven be where he lives. He might have stolen th
ad and driveway. How long it would be before the thief would show up, if at all, they had no
when Bob caught the arm of the
hissed. "There's a c
evening silence. Whether the vehicle was that of the thief, the hiding form
ater the same car that had been parked in fron
after, all right. He's stopping. Sees ou
out and advanced toward the man. As they we
Throw up your hands and tell us w
d toward them. But he refused to
e, a faint smile coming over his face. "You have made a terrible mistake
he man. "We've proof of your guilt and want the stuff you stole. Now, get
aising his voice to a high-pitched drawl, "
nced tow
demanded, never taking his eyes from the fellow. "Just where did you get
l knock you ov
ut soon decided not to
became even
he man with his revolver. "We want that stuff you
ed them to follow him up to the house. Whether he had been frightened by the office
ned the heavy door, at the same time beck
eys!" The policema
itated a moment, th
id, as he led the way through the large r
ened a narrow door. Then, switching on a light, he went
ight suddenly went off, leaving them in total darkness. The eyes of the pursuers, unaccustomed to the blackness
brush past him rapidl
t the form squarely with such force
cried. "Now to sw
ealed switch. At last, when it became apparent that it could not be found, Joe bent
e felt his foot touch the top step. Now
e still vainly searching
ing out hopelessly. "Our only chance now is t
ut of his mouth when su
a wild cry
he exclaimed. "I've kn