"But if they are rough men——"
"No, rough men do not furnish a tent like this. See the pictures pinned up; and what is this?"
Tavia had lighted a candle that was placed conveniently near the flap, with matches at hand, showing that whoever lived in the tent intended to return at dark, and so had their light ready. Beside this candle was a printed slip of paper. Tavia read:
"A thousand dollars reward for information that will lead to the finding, dead or alive, of Dorothy Dale and Tavia Travers."
"Dorothy gone too!" shrieked Tavia. "Then they are scouring the woods for us, and that is why this camp is deserted!"
"If only I could walk!" breathed Molly.
"Never mind. We will stay here—until something else happens—but who can tell what that may be!"
The shock of the news about Dorothy absolutely stunned Tavia. With it went all her strength, all her courage, and she felt then like lying down to die!