"If the wretches should try to take Mr. Dodge away from here——-"
"I'll follow 'em, of course."
"And leave a paper trail," nodded Dick.
"Here is all the paper I have in my pockets," he added.
"I have some, too," muttered Dave.
"I'll be back as speedily as I can get help."
"You ought not to be gone more than an hour."
"Not as long as that, I hope. Goodbye, Dave, and look out for yourself."
After going the first hundred yards Dick Prescott let himself out into a loping run, very much like that used by the "soreheads" in getting back to town. With a trained runner the cross-country style of running is suited for getting over long distances at fair speed.
Twenty minutes later young Prescott reached a farm house in which there was a telephone. He asked permission to use the instrument.