Not a trace of Mason or his two negroes was found.
It nettled the detectives, and finally drove them to the conclusion that the rascally trio had gone away.
Assured of this, the Bradys searched Swamp Angel.
No one there had seen anything of the men in question.
It therefore seemed quite evident that they cleared out of that neighborhood entirely, and assured of this, the Bradys started for home afoot that night.
"We shall have to leave here to-morrow," said the old sleuth, "and get upon their track elsewhere, Harry."
"It's a question how to find their trail," the boy answered, dubiously.
"As they more than likely went by rail, we could easily make inquiries of the passing train crews for some tidings of them."
Just then the pounding of horses' hoofs upon the road reached their ears, and they rushed behind a heap of rocks.
Parting some bushes growing there, they peered out.