"To get you guessing, Paul," chirped the satisfied Lanky. "What I had in mind was that maybe Zeke left his lid here on purpose."
"Now you're balling me all up again!" complained Paul.
"Didn't you hear me say the man kept looking around as he rode off with his pals, just as if he had half a notion to turn and come back? Well, I reckon Zeke's a cute one, and has set up the pins in his alley so he can knock 'em down with his first roller and make a clean sweep!"
"Do you mean," asked Paul, "that he actually means to come galloping back here for some reason or other and has left his hat behind so's to make some sort of excuse for leaving his mates?"
"Listen!"
As Lanky hissed that emphatic word the other boys strained their ears to catch any sound. Clearly on the gentle breeze that chanced to be blowing came the unmistakable pounding of a pony's hoofs on the rocks!
CHAPTER XVIII
THE UNSEEN WATCHERS