"Seems to me we must be getting pretty near over to The Crotch," Bob said in a low voice about half an hour after they first saw Royce.
"Can't be very far from here. But listen. They've turned off to the left."
A moment later they struck a narrow but well defined path, which was remarkably smooth considering the locality.
"I say, Bob, we never thought to give the signal when we struck them," Jack said as they started along the path.
"Well, what do you know about that. Guess you'd better give it now, but I have no idea any of them are near enough to hear you."
Jack was an excellent imitator and the hoot hoot which he gave utterance to was realistic enough to deceive anyone. They listened but no answer came.
"Well, I didn't expect any," Bob said as they started on again. "I doubt if they're within five miles of here."
"Where do you suppose this path comes from?" Jack asked.
"I wonder, but just now I'm more concerned about where it goes to," Bob replied.
"It looks as though it was used a lot anyhow."