Jim Caven looked at the farmer in astonishment. Then when he heard Seth Dickerson's words he fell back and his face grew deathly white.
"I—I don't know you," he stammered.
"I seed you over to Auburn, in a pawnshop," repeated Dickerson.
"It—It isn't true!" gasped Caven. "I was never over to Auburn in my life. Why should I go there to a pawnshop?"
"I guess you know well enough, Caven," said Tom. "You bad better come back to the Hall with us and have a talk with Captain Putnam."
"I won't go with you. This is—is a—a plot against me," stammered the slim youth.
"You will go back!" cried Dick, and caught Caven by the arm. But with a jerk the seared boy freed himself and ran down the road at the top of his speed.
Sam and Dick pursued him on their bicycles, while some of the others came after on foot. Seeing this, Jim Caven took to the woods just as Dan Baxter had done, and the boys found it impossible to track him any further.
"I wonder if he'll come back tonight?" said Dick, as the party returned to where they had left Seth Dickerson and Tom.
"I don't think he will," answered Sam. "I declare, he must be almost as bad as the Baxters!"