“Follow the trail anyway,” cried Dick Travers, who was rapidly becoming impatient.

They fell in behind Bob Somers.

“Maybe Willie is going to shut us in, as a joke,” remarked Tom, in sudden alarm.

“How—you tall goose?” sniffed Sam.

“Hello—there it is!”

“Where—where?” cried Tom.

Bob Somers’ hand fell upon a large piece of cardboard covered with writing. It rested upon a projecting stone.

“Right here, fellows,” he announced, calmly.

CHAPTER XVI
THE ASTONISHING WILLIAM

The echoes of many voices soon grew into such a roar that individual words became indistinguishable. This babel of sound Bob Somers managed, with some difficulty, to still.