Back of the office were great piles of lumber, all thickly covered with snow. Among them could plainly be seen the footsteps of two people. The marks were fresh, and led along the back fence and then to the right.
Hal followed the marks among the piles of lumber until he came to a spot where all became mixed, as if some one had retraced his steps.
As he paused, examining the tracks, he heard a noise behind him, and, turning, he found himself confronted by Hardwick.
"I want to know what you are following me about for?" demanded the man, savagely.
CHAPTER XXV.
HAL'S ESCAPE FROM HARDWICK.
Hal could not help but shrink back as Hardwick advanced.
"Did you hear what I said?" demanded the man, after a second of silence.
"I did," replied Hal, in a disguised voice. He did not know whether or not Hardwick had discovered his real identity, and he intended to run no risk in the matter.