“And why would hoboes want that to happen?” added George.
“When Billy says they were tramps he’s only jumping to conclusions,” Tom explained, “he doesn’t know a thing about it, because he owns up he failed to get even a single look at the thieves. I’ve got my own opinion about this thing.”
“Meaning you believe you know who the fellows were?” questioned Carl.
“Stop and think—who would like nothing better than to put us in a hole? Don’t we happen to know that Tony Pollock and his crowd are around here on Big Bear Mountain somewhere? Didn’t they rob that hen roost of Mr. Perkins?”
“Tom, I really believe you’re right!” exclaimed Josh, beginning to look at the matter from the standpoint taken by the patrol leader.
“We can soon settle that part of it!” declared Rob Shaeffer.
“By hunting for their tracks, and finding out how many thieves there were,” Tom went on to say. “Come on Billy, and show me just where you saw the bushes moving when that laugh struck you.”
He called upon the others to keep back so that they might not spoil any tracks to be found at that particular spot. A very little search showed the boys what they so eagerly sought.
“Here are tracks enough, and all heading away from the camp,” said the patrol leader presently, “let’s see how we can classify them, for every footprint will be different from the others.”
“Here’s one that is square across the toe,” announced Josh, instantly. “And say, seems to me I remember Asa Green always wears shoes like that. Now Wedge McGuffey has got broad shoulders and spindle legs, and he wears a pointed shoe like the one that made these tracks.”