“Then you think counterfeit money is actually made there?” asked Jessie.
“Unfortunately, I can’t be sure,” and Darry shook his head ruefully. “I used that old scow of theirs to get over to the hut and I was just in the act of finding out several interesting things when a man came around the back of the hut and nabbed me.”
“That was when you gave us the slip,” said Burd. “We thought for a while that you had fallen victim to the swamp.”
“Go on, Darry,” Nell urged. “Tell us what happened to you after the villain nabbed you by the neck.”
“Oh, yes, how did you manage to make that trail through the woods?” questioned Jessie. “We followed it for a long way, and then suddenly lost all trace of you.”
“The piece of cloth from my coat was an accident,” Darry replied. “It tore on a bush and that gave me an idea. I managed to reach into my pocket and get my notebook, and I will tell you there isn’t much of that notebook left.”
“Why did the trail end so suddenly?” asked Nell.
“My notebook gave out. Besides,” added Darry, “the ruffians had become suspicious and insisted on tying my hands behind my back. We forded a stream near there and doubled back on our tracks toward the hut. I imagine the whole thing was a ruse to divert attention from headquarters.”
“You were in the hut then when you called out for help?” asked Jessie, and Darry nodded.
“I knew the boys would be somewhere in the vicinity, although I had no idea you girls would be game enough to come out and join in the search. I yelled once, and then they stuffed my mouth full of some dirty old rag and that was the end of any further vocal protests from yours truly.”