CHAPTER XXIII
THE SEARCH
Following the finding of the Chinese button, and Frank’s conclusion that the smugglers had carried Fenn off, the three chums, back in camp, startled by the terror the thought gave them, stood looking at each other for several seconds. They did not quite know what to make of it.
“Do you really think the smugglers have him?” asked Ned, of Frank.
“Well, it certainly looks so. Fenn is gone, and this button is evidence that some Chinese have been here.”
“But might not Fenn be off in the woods somewhere, and the Chinese have paid a visit here while he was away?” asked Bart.
“Of course that’s possible. But I don’t believe Fenn, sick as he was, would remain away so long.”
“Couldn’t that brass button come from some other garment than one worn by a Chinaman?” inquired Ned.
“It could, but for the fact that it has some Chinese characters stamped on the under side, where the shank is,” and Frank showed his chums the queer marks, probably made by the Celestial manufacturer. “Then, here’s another bit of evidence,” and he pointed to the ground.
Ned and Bart looked. There, in the soft earth, they plainly saw several footprints, made by the peculiar, thick-soled sharp-pointed shoes the Chinese wear.