"Hardly possible they found it in the darkness," replied another.
"We'll have a look, anyhow," declared a third.
Footsteps advanced toward the front door and a hand tried the knob.
"Locked," said a voice, "and, as you see, barred from the outside. I guess they are not in there."
"Any windows?" asked another voice.
The pursuers moved around the house.
"Here's one," exclaimed a voice, stopping before the window by which the fugitives had entered the shack.
"Climb in and have a look around," came a command.
"And get shot in the darkness?" questioned the other. "What's the matter with your doing that?"
"Afraid, eh," said the other. "Here, give me a hand up."