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