The full moon was shining brightly, but Al's pursuer lurked in the shadows of the trees and shrubbery that lined the road on either side.
For half an hour this pursuit of the boy continued; then the man gave a shrill whistle.
As Al turned, three masked men sprang from a clump of bushes on his left and seized him. Before he could cry out a gag was thrust into his mouth. A few moments later he was bound hand and foot.
Then one of his assailants lifted him in his arms and bore him up a side road, near which the assault had been committed. A covered wagon stood in waiting here. Al was placed in it; then his captors and the man who had followed him from the car, entered, and the vehicle was driven rapidly away.
At the expiration of, perhaps, half an hour the wagon was brought to a standstill, and Al was lifted out.
It was a strange sight that met his gaze.
Half a dozen masked men were assembled under a tree, over one of the boughs of which was flung a stout rope.
One of the strange party stepped forward and removed the gag from the boy's mouth, saying:
"If you have any last remarks to make, make 'em now, and be quick about it. We don't propose to fool away any time on this job."
"What does all this mean?" gasped Al. "What are you going to do?"