Matt did as directed, and saw a sight which both amazed and alarmed him. There, by a little fire built to keep them comfortable in the night air, sat two burly men, drinking and smoking. Neither of the individuals was Paul Barberry.


205

CHAPTER XXVII.

TIMELY ASSISTANCE.

“Those fellows must be the thieves,” whispered Andy, as he pointed to the pair beneath the tree.

“I believe you are right,” returned Matt. “If so, we have made a big mistake. Neither of them is Paul Barberry, and I was almost certain he was the thief.”

“So was I, Matt. But never mind that now. What worries me is the fact that there are two of them.”

“Yes, and they both look like strong fellows,” returned the young auctioneer, as he surveyed the pair. “If they get ugly when we claim the turn-out we may have a lively time with them.”

“Well, we are in the right, and we must stick up for our own.”