At the farmhouse the two Rovers found themselves confronted by an elderly man and his wife, who looked at them rather curiously.
"No, there hasn't been anybody around here so far as I know," announced the farmer. "We haven't had a visitor for several days."
"I was out to the well about five minutes ago," put in his wife, "and if anybody had come up to the house or the barn I'd have seen him."
"The fellow we are after is a criminal," explained Dick, "so if you don't mind we'll take a look around for him."
"A criminal!" cried the farmer. "Say, that's bad! Certainly look around all you please, and I hope if he is anywhere near you'll catch him. I'd go around with you myself, only I can't very well on account of this rheumatism of mine."
The two Rovers walked around the cottage and the out-buildings but found not the least trace of Blackie Crowden. Then, rather crestfallen, they returned to the automobile.
"Perhaps there's some mistake and it wasn't Crowden at all," was Sam's comment.
"Well, it was a man who stuttered, anyway, and the general description fitted Crowden," answered his brother.
When they reached the automobile, they found Tom gazing curiously at a piece of newspaper which he had picked up from the ground. It was rather crumpled, as if it had been used for wrapping purposes.
"See anything of him, Tom?" asked Dick.