“But there’s another chance for us,” ventured Dick.
“To find a track, you mean, do you?” questioned Leslie, taking fresh courage.
“Why, somehow or other,” Dick explained, “none of us thought to look closely into that trap of Dan’s which was smashed by the wild man the other night. Now, let’s the two of us slip away as soon as the morning service is over without telling any one what’s in the wind. We can prowl around there, and see if some sort of sign is to be picked up that will give us the clue we want.”
As soon as the religious service, which was held every morning after breakfast, was over, Dick whispered to his chum:
“Let’s be moving, Leslie, while the crowd is still sitting around. Mr. Holwell seems to be telling them one of his stories about his experiences. Every little while something that happens seems to stir up his memory. He’s seen a heap of queer things in his day.” Accordingly, the pair walked away unnoticed by any of their comrades.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE TELLTALE FOOTPRINT
As the spot Dick and Leslie were heading for lay only a short distance away from the heart of the camp the two boys quickly reached it. They could plainly hear the laughter of the others when the minister reached some comical part in his story of the early experiences associated with his checkered career.
“Here’s the wreck of Dan’s trap,” remarked Leslie. “He lost heart when the wild man smashed things so easily, and hasn’t managed to hatch up another scheme to catch him, though I know he’s thinking about it all the time.”
“Let’s take up every piece of wood first, and see if they can tell us anything,” suggested Dick.
Leslie looked as though for the life of him he could not see how a mere piece of broken branch could speak and explain; but at the same time he knew Dick must have a meaning attached to his words.