“But what do you suppose—Hark, did you hear that?”
“No, I heard nothing.”
“Well, I did. Listen.”
Both boys strained their ears and a moment later a faint but unmistakable sound was heard.
“It’s a girl crying,” Jack declared.
“And only a little way ahead of us,” Bob added. “Come on but be careful, it may be a trap.”
They had been using their flash lights freely as it was necessary in order to make any kind of time through the dense forest, but now they groped their way between the trees in the pitch darkness fearing to show a light. That they were pitted against a ruthless and keen enemy they did not doubt and they had no intention of playing into his hands if they could avoid it. As they advanced the sobbing became more clearly audible and they knew that they were going in the right direction. That it was Helen they had little doubt and both longed to call out that they were coming, but prudence forebade it.
Not a sound did they make as they crept closer to the girl, testing every step before making the advance. It was so dark that they were unable to see even a foot ahead and they were obliged to keep hold of hands to avoid being separated. As soon as the sound of the sobbing assured them that they were within a few feet of the girl they stopped and, for several moments, listened intently.
Not a breath of air stirred the branches overhead and a death-like stillness pervaded the forest, broken only by the low sobs of the girl.
“If there’s anyone with her they’re keeping mighty still,” Bob whispered placing his mouth close to Jack’s ear.