The chief of police and his officer led the way through the woods and across the fields to the location described by the boys. They went cautiously, keeping a lookout for any signs of the strangely-acting men.
As they advanced through a little glade, close to where the clearing was located, the chief, who was in advance, called out:
“There’s some one sitting on the ground just ahead.”
Bart pressed forward. He saw a lad leaning against a big stake driven into the earth.
“Why it’s Jimmie Nelson!” Bart exclaimed.
“The laziest boy in town,” murmured the chief.
“I’ll go up and speak to him,” Bart went on. “You can hang back here until I see what he’s doing.”
“Doing? He never does anything,” said Fenn.
“Hello, Jimmie,” called Bart, as he started to cross the clearing. “What you doing here?”
“Got a job.”