"Well, they told the story of what has taken place since the boys left the cabin to follow your footsteps last night, so you may as well save your breath. Lies won't help you any!"
However, the lads managed to bring the two men closer to the fire and then set about piling on more green boughs.
"Now," Will said, as he stood regarding the two columns of smoke with no little satisfaction, "if our friends are within five miles of us, they ought to understand that we are in need of a little friendly assistance."
Time and again the two boys went back to the place where the cavern had been and listened patiently for some further indication that their friends were still alive. Several times they heard the rumbling of a voice but they could not distinguish the words of it.
Finally Will went back to where Cameron lay on the ground by the fire and asked abruptly:
"Is your name Garman, Cameron or Brooks?"
The fellow gave a quick start of surprise but made no answer.
"Is this man Fenton the clerk who stole the machine drawings?" was the next question. "Where are the plans now?"
"I don't know anything about any plans!" declared Cameron.
"What do you fellows expect to do with the plans?" asked Will.