“Only an owl far away, answering us,” Jack declared, promptly.
“Must think we’re trying to give him the laugh,” Herb remarked; although he was feeling in anything but a joking mood, with the strange disappearance of Josh weighing on his mind so heavily.
“Come on, boys,” Jack called out. “I’ve got the lantern lighted, and we’ll try our luck following his trail as long as we are able to see it. Oh! and Herb, if you and Nick want, you might as well eat something while we’re gone.”
“Nixy for me,” Herb made answer. “My appetite seems to have gone up the flue. But we could be cooking something, in case you found Josh, and all came in hungry.”
“Sure, that’s right,” Nick hastened to add. “It’ll give us something to keep our minds busy, and that means a whole lot. Good-bye, boys; and the best of luck!”
“We sure hope you find our chum, safe and sound,” Herb added, feelingly.
“One thing more,” Jack went on to say; “If Josh should happen in while we’re gone, you’ll want to let us know.”
“That’s right; I hadn’t thought of that,” said Herb.
“Then listen. Fire both barrels of your gun, about two seconds apart. Then repeat the volley twice more, making six shots in all. We’ll understand what you want to tell us, and that we’re needed here. That’s all. Come on, George and Jimmy.”