The marks had been discovered on the side-road to their left. The road was a winding one, leading through the thick woods, and what was beyond they could not surmise.
“It seems to me this proves their hiding-place must be up on that road,” said Roger.
“Let us go down the road on the other side and see if any of the marks are there,” returned our hero.
This was done, but no automobile marks of any kind were to be discerned in the soft soil. Then they came back to the cross-road, and after a long hunt found traces where the other touring car had come around the corner from the side-road into the main road leading down to Frytown.
“That settles it in my mind,” announced Dave. “I don’t believe they ever went through to Cullomburg or that they ever went up that side road on our right. They took this side-road to the left, and it’s my opinion that leads to where they have got Laura and Jessie prisoners.”
“What do you think we ought to do, Dave? Go back to town and get help and round them up?”
Our hero mused for a moment. “Maybe we had better go ahead, Roger, and do a little more investigating.”
“But suppose those rascals come on us all at once and surprise us? For all we know there may be half a dozen or more in this gang.”
“I’ve got another idea. I don’t believe this road is very long. As we came up I saw through the clearing below that there was quite a mountain on our left, and this road probably ends right there. Now, if you are willing, we’ll run our machine up past the cross-road a little distance, and then see if we can’t hide it behind the bushes. Then we can tramp up on the side road on foot.”
“All right, Dave. Let us do it—and at once!”