"I didn't think of that. Well, forward we go."
An hour passed and then another. Soon after Chet gave a joyous cry.
"There are Dottery's outbuildings! We'll soon be there now!"
"Right you are, Chet. I wonder——" Paul stopped short. "Oh, look over there!" he cried.
He pointed to a barn not a great distance back from the road.
The door of the structure was open and within flashed the light of a lantern.
"Dottery must be up, or else——" began Chet.
"Horse thieves!"
Both boys uttered the word simultaneously. Could it be possible that the thieves were raiding their nearest neighbor?
"Wait. Let us dismount and investigate," whispered Paul. "Don't do anything rash," this as Chet started to run toward the barn.