Meanwhile, Boardman and Kid Curry had taken the lead in the rescue party.
“You know Bear Creek better than I do,” Ruth explained. Then, as she felt again the urge of haste: “Oh, we must hurry! Hurry!”
But when they had nearly reached their destination it was Ruth who again took the lead. She knew that the cabin must be approached with great caution. To warn Bloomberg of their approach would rob their attack of the great advantage it now possessed, the element of surprise.
The party proceeded cautiously on foot, Helen and Ruth close together, the men following one by one, as stealthy and grim as Indians. Not so much as a snapped twig betrayed their approach.
“There’s the cabin,” Helen whispered suddenly, as a tumble-down hut loomed through the thinning shrubbery. “Oh, Ruth,” with a moment of sheer panic, “what is happening to Chess—to Tom—inside that place!”
“Sh-h!” whispered Ruth. “Helen, dear, we shall soon find out!”
Ruth Fielding was trembling with excitement. Her knees felt weak, unable to bear her weight. But she forced herself to go forward, praying a little wildly beneath her breath.
“Oh, Lord, keep them safe! Just a little longer—just a moment longer—” Her dry lips formed the words but no sound came.
They reached the cabin and managed, in accordance with a whispered command from Layton Boardman, to surround it without disturbing whoever might be within.
Her heart pounding in her throat, Ruth crept close to a window and looked within. Helen was close beside her. Her cold hand stole into Ruth’s and held it tight.