"I thought he went away," said Joe.
"We haven't seen him since he left the farm, but I've always had an idea he was prowling around."
Just then Frank clutched Chet's arm.
"Listen!"
The boys halted. They could plainly hear the sound of snapping twigs and a scuffing that indicated the approach of some one on the trail ahead. A moment later, a man came into view.
He stepped out from among the trees and came to a stop, staring at the lads, plainly astonished at seeing them. Then he wheeled about and sprang into the bushes. They could hear him plunging through the undergrowth as he disappeared.
Although they had only a momentary glance, the boys readily identified him as the man the tramps had mentioned. Disreputably clad, he was a thin man with a cruel mouth and a hooked nose.
"Gus Montrose!" exclaimed Jack Dodd.