"We never think of it. Now do you believe it is possible to go to the camp and back by noon?"
"It'll be a tight squeeze, even allowin' that we ride a good part of the way; but we'll pull through somehow."
"Then if Tim has run off, all your work will have been for nothing."
"It can't be helped if things turn that way; but I think he's too much frightened by the disappearance of Gus to leave a good hiding-place."
At this moment the officer emerged from the stable in an open wagon drawn by a powerful-looking horse, and Skip shouted, as he clambered in:
"We'll be back by noon."
Then the two were whirled rapidly away, and Fred walked slowly to Mr. Hunter's office depressed by a sense of impending evil.
The lawyer was absent, and, not caring to stroll around the town where he might meet acquaintances from Farley's, the boy remained alone until late in the afternoon, when Joe and Sam arrived.
"The trial is to come off to-morrow," he cried, mentioning first that subject which was nearest his heart.
"And you couldn't find Skip," Joe added, mournfully; but his face lighted up wonderfully on being told of what had occurred during his absence.