Dick and Sandy waited breathlessly. Thus far, no sound had come to them. The forest was pervaded by a silence so deep and oppressive that the two boys, waiting for Toma’s mysterious call, could hear the thumping of their own hearts. They had crept forward through the dense thicket to a point where, though still concealed themselves, they could see the cabin plainly. In the sombre northern twilight its every detail stood clearly revealed—the low, grass-grown sod roof, the tiny window and the crude, rough door.
The boys found it difficult to restrain their gathering impatience. What was Toma doing? Chafing over the delay, they crouched low, their gaze sweeping the tiny clearing ahead. On Dick’s forehead beads of perspiration gathered slowly, while the palms of his hands were moist and warm.
“Can’t imagine what’s happened to him,” Sandy croaked in Dick’s ear. “What’s he waiting for? What’s got into him, anyway? First thing we know, Frischette’ll be here—and it’ll be too late.”
Dick did not reply. Just then he thought he had heard a slight sound in the brush, directly in front of the house. Excitedly, he reached forward and seized Sandy’s right arm.
“Ssh!” he whispered. “Keep still. Just look over there.”
Following his friend’s instructions, Sandy looked and immediately his mouth gaped open, and he emitted a startled gasp.
Two men plunged out into the open—rough, desperate, evil-looking men, who made their way stealthily forward. Each carried a knife and revolver at his belt. One was tall and sinewy, the other short and thin. The tall man proceeded ahead with long awkward strides, while the little man at his side pranced along, like a small boy attempting to keep pace with his elder.
Of the two, the face of the smaller man was, if such a thing were possible, more sinister, malevolent and wicked than that of the other. His features were twisted in an expression that was both horrible and repellent. It was as if he had been overcome by some violent emotion: rage that hungered for revenge, or cruelty inflamed by avarice. In all their experience, the boys had never encountered a more terrifying pair. The very sight of them caused Dick and Sandy to shiver and draw back in a sudden panic.
“Ho-hope they don’t come this way,” shuddered Sandy.
“Toma saw them before we did,” whispered Dick. “That’s why he didn’t attempt that call. Who do you suppose they are?”