"Which only proves that he is a good actor," retorted Tom dryly. "Don't think me hardhearted, fellows, because I'm not. I'm always ready to give everybody his due. But I feel sure down in my heart that this thing was all fixed up beforehand, and some day you'll find that I'm right."
For more than two hours they kept up the search without result, and the fact that they had not had their supper was forced upon them with growing insistency.
"Isn't there any time limit to this?" grumbled Bart. "I'll be hunting for acorns instead of a prisoner before long."
"I've got a vacuum where my stomach ought to be," moaned Billy. "Gee, wouldn't I like to be streaking it for the mess room."
"Cork up, you fellows," commanded Frank. "Listen! I thought I heard something just then."
The talking ceased instantly, and all stood as rigid as statues.
"It's a horse coming this way," whispered Frank, after a moment of strained attention. "Quick, fellows, get behind these bushes and have your rifles ready!"
They crouched low and peered up a little glade that ran through the forest.
But the noise ceased as suddenly as it had begun and they began to think that their comrade had been mistaken.
"Guess Frank's been stringing us," chaffed Billy.