Jet understood only too well that even if he should come off victorious in this battle with the dog, and in so doing make sufficient noise to be heard by the inmates of the house, all his efforts would have been in vain.
Although the moon had not yet risen, the light of the stars permitted the boy to see his antagonist, who, on first striking the ground on the outside of the barricade, stood for an instant as if at a loss to locate the intruder.
Jet thought it possible he might yet escape, and started toward the shelter of the trees; but the sound of his footsteps soon told the brute where to look for his prey.
With a low, angry yelp he turned, standing motionless a few seconds, during which time Jet continued to back farther away from the house in order that there might be less chance the noise of the conflict would be overheard.
Then the dog crouched for a spring, and Jet, every muscle strained to its utmost tension, stood ready to receive him.
The battle was short.
While the dog was yet in the air Jet struck out with the heavy stick, and his aim was perfect.
The club fell squarely on the brute's head, crushing the skull as if it had been an egg-shell, and without so much as a moan the dog dropped dead.
There was yet another to be met, but so far he had not made his presence known save by angry barks, and Jet ran for the woods with all speed.
He gained the shelter of the trees and paused for an instant to look back.
If he must meet the companion of the animal he had killed it would be better to do so at the edge of the undergrowth where he could have a fair view of his antagonist, rather than fight in the darkness where the branches would obstruct his movements.
No sound came from the inmates of the house to show that they had been alarmed.
From the window of the room where Jet had heard them moving about a bright light could be seen, and what seemed very strange, considering the fact that the night was far from cold, the men had built such a roaring fire that the sparks were coming from the chimney in wreaths.
Even where he stood Jet could hear those dull, heavy blows at regular intervals, which, since it proved their work had not been interrupted, showed that the men had no idea their prisoner was making his escape.
The remaining dog was rushing to and fro barking furiously; but, contrary to Jet's expectations, he did not leap over the barrier.
"I don't reckon there's any use waiting longer for him. It will be better to take my chances of fighting among the trees than to stay until those fellows come out."
With this thought in his mind Jet started at a rapid pace through the woods, exerting himself to the utmost to keep ever before him the direction of the morning's journey.
The bread and bacon he had put in his pocket before attempting the escape, and now as he made his way through the underbrush he ate leisurely, for strength was the one thing needful for the successful completion of the task, and to retain this, food was essential.
More than once he fell over the trunk of a tree, or was thrown by the vines which caught his feet as in a snare; but each time he arose to his feet undismayed, and the weary tramp was continued without a halt until considerably past midnight, when he had arrived at the railroad track.
With plenty of money in his pocket there was no thought of walking any farther than necessary, and Jet's only desire was to find a depot.
By continuing on half an hour longer in a direction opposite the one taken by him when he met the three apparent tramps, the boy found that for which he sought.
The night train would be along in ten minutes, so the station-agent said, and Jet bought a ticket for Albany.
He had been tempted to change one of the ten-dollar bills for this purpose; but decided not to do so after realizing that it might be imprudent to display so much money.
Of the amount given him by the manager of the minstrel company he had enough left to pay for a passage and purchase something to eat in the morning, consequently there was no necessity of using that which he had found.
Of the journey to Albany he knew absolutely nothing.
The long tramp had given him an overpowering desire for sleep, and the soft seat was rest-inviting, therefore in less than five minutes from the time he boarded the train his eyes were closed in slumber.
On arriving at his destination one of the brakemen awakened him with a vigorous shaking, which would have done credit to a giant's strength, and he went out in the early morning air decidedly refreshed.
His plans had all been laid during the tramp through the woods, and he knew exactly what to do.
First breakfast was necessary, and this important duty he attended to without delay, spending therefor the last of his change.
It was six o'clock when he arrived at the Hudson River depot, and learned that a train for New York would leave in a short time.
"Give me a ticket," he said, producing one of the bills found in the house from which he escaped.
The ticket-seller took the money, looked at it scrutinizingly for an instant, and then at the boy.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
"Out on the road a piece. Don't think I stole it, do you?"
"Tell me where you got it."
"I don't know. It wasn't any town, an' I ain't acquainted 'round this way."
"Who gave it to you?"
"A man."
"Did you earn it?"
"Say, mister, what's the matter?" and now Jet began to be alarmed, for the ticket-agent looked very stern.
Instead of replying the man beckoned to an officer who was standing near by, and said, in a low tone:
"Take this boy on a charge of passing counterfeit money. I will be up to make a complaint as soon as I can get away."
"Come with me," and the officer laid his hand heavily on Jet's shoulder.
"What's the matter?" Jet asked, as he tried to release himself, but succeeded only in getting such a choking as nearly deprived him of breath.
"You'd better come along without any trouble, for I don't want to club a little shaver like you."
"But I'm going to New York, an' that man has got my money."
"I reckon you won't need it yet awhile."
"Tell me what business you've got to haul me off like this?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
By this time quite a crowd had began to gather, and realizing that it would be useless to make any further objections, Jet added:
"Let up on my collar a little so's I can breathe, an' I'll go along peaceable."
The officer did as he had been requested, but not to such an extent that there was any danger his prisoner would have an opportunity to escape, and the two walked rapidly along the street followed by a throng of boys.
At the police station Jet was led in front of a high desk, and the officer said in reply to a question from the sergeant:
"Charged by the ticket-seller at the depot with passing counterfeit money."
The small prisoner was asked his name, age, and place of residence, to all of which he made truthful answers, and then he was searched thoroughly.
As a matter of course this could only result in the finding of the second bill, and the sergeant said, severely:
"I reckon this isn't his first offense of the same kind. Who sent you out to pass that money, my boy?"
Jet hesitated.
He had believed it would be possible for him to give such information to the inspector as would result in the arrest of the murderers, and was not willing to tell these officers the whole story.
"I didn't know the money was bad," he said, after a brief time of reflection. "Is that the only reason why you are going to keep me here?"
"Before the business is ended you'll find that to be serious enough."
"But is it all?"
"Yes."
"Then will you send word to the inspector in New York that District Messenger No. 48 is here, and wants to see him right away?"
"So? You're the boy who is wanted so badly in New York, eh?"
"I don't know anything about that; but I must see the inspector mighty soon or it'll be too late."
"Too late for what?"
"That's jest what I can't tell you."
"It may be possible I shall make you."
"You can try; but it won't be any use, for I won't say a word to anybody but him."
"He has nothing to do with this case of passing counterfeit money."
"I know it; but there's somethin' else of a good deal more importance that he's got a finger in. It don't make any difference to me, about the money, for I've done nothin' wrong, however you try to fix it."
Jet spoke in such a tone of independence that the sergeant would have made him feel the weight of his authority but for the fact that word had been sent out from the New York Police Headquarters in such a peculiar manner as to leave no doubt of the boy's being an important prisoner or witness, and he could not well decline to grant the request.
"You may think to get out of the scrape by playing this game, but I promise you'll be in a worse box than ever if the inspector don't like your message."
"I'll run the risk," Jet replied, calmly, feeling that his arrest would be a matter of but little moment if through it he should be able to communicate with the inspector before the men in the woods would have time to get away.
"It would be much better if you confided in me, for just at present you are in a disagreeable position, and I could do considerable toward helping you."
"We'll let things go as they are, providin' you let the inspector know I've got to see him right away," Jet replied, and the sergeant could not well continue the conversation.
The small prisoner was confined in one of the cells; but due care was taken in regard to his comfort, for by this time all in the station had begun to look upon him as a very important person.
Jet was not disturbed because of the fact that he had been arrested on a charge of passing counterfeit money; already he had a shrewd suspicion as to the value of his discoveries, and felt quite certain he would receive a warm and friendly reception from the inspector.
The only thing which troubled Jet as he sat alone in the narrow cell was the possibility that the inspector might not get his message in time to bag the suspected men before they left the house in the woods, for now that he had made his escape, it was reasonable to suppose they would be alarmed.
On this score, however, he need have had little fear. Before sunset a gentleman was ushered into his cell and the door locked behind him.
"You wanted to see the inspector," the stranger began, as he seated himself on the narrow bench which served as a bed.
"Well, s'posin' I did?" Jet asked, thinking this man was some one attached to the station.
"He has sent me to know where you have been."
"Did you come from New York?"
"Yes, on the last train."
"Why didn't the inspector come?"
"He never leaves the city; there are plenty of officers at headquarters to do such work. Now, what do you know?"
"More'n I'll tell to anybody but him."
"In that case I shall have to take you back to the city."
"But then it will be too late; them fellers are bound to skip when they find out I've got away."
"What fellows?"
Jet looked up suspiciously.
"I don't want to say a word to anybody but the inspector."
"I told you he sent me to do the business. You can talk as freely as to him."
"Who are you?"
"Detective Harvey."
"From New York?"
"See here, my boy, I don't blame you for having doubts, and to set them at rest I'll prove that what I say is true," and the detective pounded on the bars of the cell door until the turnkey appeared.
"I wish you would ask the sergeant to step this way a moment."
That officer obeyed the summons at once, and when he stood at the door the detective said to him:
"Will you kindly tell this boy who I am? He is afraid I am sailing under false colors."
"You are Detective Harvey, sent by the inspector at New York in answer to a telegram I wired this morning. To give him perfect confidence in you I will say further that at present he is confined for passing counterfeit money, but if you should ask to have him released I guarantee that the charge will be withdrawn. Are you satisfied now, my boy?"
"Yes, I reckon it's all right. I'll take the chances; but if you fellers are playin' any game, the inspector is bound to raise a terrible row when I see him."
"That part of it is all right. Tell Harvey what you know, and I answer for it that it will be the same as if the inspector himself was here."
With this remark the sergeant walked away, and Jet said in a low tone:
"Now I'll tell the whole story; but first I want to know why that advertisement about me was put in the papers?"
"We thought those two men might have gotten hold of you, more especially since the manager at the district messenger station reported that you spoke of being hired to go to Yonkers."
Jet now gave, with careful attention to detail, the story of his misadventures from the time of leaving the Union Square Hotel, and Detective Harvey received the information with no slight degree of excitement.
"I suppose the bills you found in the pile of dirt are in the sergeant's hands," he said, half to himself, when Jet concluded.
"I reckon so; anyway, they took both away from me."
"We will go up stairs and look at them. If I'm not mistaken, my boy, we shall run to earth the gang who are flooding the country with the most dangerous counterfeit known, at the same time that we bag the murderers. Do you think you could lead me to the house in the woods?"
"I'm certain of it; but we shall have to walk a long distance."
"I wouldn't grumble if it was fifty miles, providing we finally succeeded. Come with me."
Again he summoned the turnkey, ordered him to open the door, and said to Jet:
"Follow me."
"Ain't they goin' to keep me here any longer?"
"I should say not. You heard what the sergeant said, and we must be out of this town within an hour."
Jet followed his conductor up stairs, and in a few moments the two were in earnest consultation with the Albany Chief of Police.
The counterfeits were found to be the same which had given the authorities so much trouble. They were so well executed as to pass without suspicion in the majority of cases, and the fact that the two discovered by Jet were imperfect impressions, which had been thrown aside by the makers, was, probably, the only cause of their having been refused by the ticket-seller.
"It is lucky you were arrested," Harvey said in a tone of satisfaction.
"Why?" Jet asked in surprise. "It wasn't any fun to stay in that little cell all day."
"I can fancy not; but if you had come to New York a great deal of time would have been wasted, and as it is we can start in search of those fellows at once."
"But you an' I can't handle the crowd if they show fight."
"We don't intend to try. When we leave this town our party will be large enough."
"How many men do you want?" the chief asked the detective.
"Two, providing they are ready at once."
"I suppose you will go a certain portion of the way on the train?"
"Certainly."
"On that road the next one leaves in about an hour. I will have the best men I know of waiting at the depot. Is there anything else to be done?"
"Not now. Jet and I will go for dinner, and meet you at the station. Can you lend the boy a revolver; one more weapon may come in handy in case of a fight, and unless those fellows have already made a change of base I reckon we shall have a lively time."
The chief gave Jet a weapon and plenty of cartridges, and District Messenger No. 48 felt exceedingly proud as he walked out of the station with the revolver in the inside pocket of his coat.
Harvey was no niggard so far as caring for the comfort of his small assistant was concerned.
A dinner at the Delavan House such as Jet had never set down to before was indulged in, and when the messenger arose from the table it was with the sensation of being full almost to bursting.
To the boy's relief Harvey informed him that the inspector never for a moment believed he had run away; but attributed his absence to exactly the true cause, and all which had been done toward finding him was with this view of the case.
"It will be a mighty big thing for you if we succeed to-night," the detective added, "for the rewards which have been offered, both for the counterfeiters and the murderers, amount to no small sum, a portion of which will, of course, belong to you."
"I'm satisfied if I make wages out of the thing; but it's too bad that money I found wasn't good, for I allowed to put the most of it away so's to pay my board till I got another job."
"You needn't hunt very far for work if this thing turns, out all right. I'll take care of that part of it."
Since Jet was to be the guide on the expedition his advice was asked for when the tickets were purchased, and in order to be certain of his bearings he thought best to return to the town where he boarded the cars during his flight.
Two officers, dressed in citizens' clothes, reported to Harvey at the depot, and one would say, judging from their personal appearance, that they were well able to cope with twice the number of desperate characters who might be found in the house in the woods.
It was late in the evening when the party alighted from the train, and Jet set out up the track leading the way, until he arrived at the point where he emerged from the woods.
"This is the place," he said, pointing to the trunk of a dead tree. "I took especial notice of that so's I'd be able to know where to strike in again."
"In what direction is the house situated?" Harvey asked.
"About there," and Jet pointed toward the north.
"Do you think you could find it in the night?"
"I'm certain I could when it was light; but there is a long distance to walk, so what's to hinder our goin' as far as I traveled, an' then waiting for morning."
"It's a good idea. Go ahead, and when you think we are far enough, call a halt."
"I don't fancy camping in the woods all night, and that is about what you are preparing to do," one of the Albany officers said, grumblingly.
"This is a case where we must put up with considerable discomfort for the sake of bagging our game. Let the boy do as he chooses; I'll answer for it that he's got brains enough to lead us right."
Harvey was ready to undergo any discomfort in order to gain the desired end; but his companions were not as enthusiastic. They complained at being under the guidance of a boy in whom they did not feel the most perfect confidence, and Harvey was obliged to speak very harshly before they would consent to follow.
Jet led the way with no slight degree of mental disquietude.
If he failed to conduct the party correctly it might be said he was playing the traitor, and the task set for him was a difficult one, considering the fact that he had only been over the ground once before.
Nevertheless he was willing to do all in his power, trusting for success to the chapter of accidents rather than any especial skill of his own, and the men followed close at his heels.
During his flight he had noted carefully all the prominent landmarks, and the fact that he had seen them only in the night aided him now.
During at least four hours he advanced at a rapid pace, stopping now and then to take counsel with Harvey, and at the expiration of that time he said, as he pointed toward a clump of alder bushes:
"There is where I first began the tramp after the fight with the dog."
"Are you certain of that?"
"You can make sure by crawling through the bushes three or four hundred yards, when the house should be in sight."
"I'll go ahead now. If I get off the course, stop me," and Harvey took command of the party.
That Jet had made no mistake was shown ten minutes later when the outlines of the building with its barricade of cord-wood could be seen against the gray sky.
The house was wrapped in darkness, presenting a striking contrast with the scene as viewed by Jet a few hours previous, and the latter said mournfully:
"I reckon all hands have skipped."
"It won't take us long to find out, for we'll overhaul the place at once."
The brute guardian of the house was at his post, as was soon learned when the new-comers drew nearer.
The deep baying of the dog was heard before the party had gained the edge of the woods where an unobstructed view of the house could be had, and Jet whispered to Harvey in a tone of satisfaction:
"It's a good thing I killed the other, for now there can't be much of a fight with only one to be taken care of."
"Does that wood-pile run all around the house?" the detective asked.
"It does, so far as I could see, except at the gate."
"Where is that?"
"To the right."
"How high is it?"
"About the same as the wood-pile, and made of planks."
It was evident the place had been built with especial reference to sustaining an attack, and there seemed little chance but that it would be stoutly defended.
"Three men inside could snap their fingers at a hundred," Harvey said, half to himself; "but at the same time four on the outside could keep a dozen of them prisoners."
"You are bound to have a fight," Jet whispered.
"There's little doubt about that, my boy. You are to stay under cover of the barricade near the gate while we rush in."
"Why don't I go with you?"
"Because there's too much danger. It will be enough if you prevent any of the crowd from giving us the slip."
"But I want to do my share; it was through me that you found out where they were, and it isn't fair to make me stay behind?"
"You're a brick, my boy," Harvey exclaimed as he grasped Jet's hand warmly. "If we finish this work all right I'll show you a chance to earn a living, for you shall be my partner."
"Do you mean it?" Jet cried, speaking incautiously loud in his excitement.
"Every word; but we'll drop the matter now and attend to business. I've got a general idea of the lay of the land, and there must be no more time wasted. Keep close behind me."
Harvey then held a whispered conversation with his companions, during which it was decided that the barricade should be scaled near the gate, and the dog silenced, if possible, in the manner Jet settled the other one.
"Don't shoot unless it is absolutely necessary," Harvey said in conclusion, "for we must take those fellows by surprise."
"It isn't likely they've been obliging enough to leave the door open so we can walk in," one of the party suggested.
"By attacking that with the heaviest sticks of cordwood after the brute is killed, we should be able to pound our way through in a very few seconds. Now come on, and work lively after we are in the yard."
Harvey led the way, and on arriving at the gate it was found to be an extremely difficult point at which to effect an entrance, because of its height, therefore the plan was so far changed as to move farther toward the rear of the building, where the party began clambering the wood.
During all this time the dog had kept up a furious barking, and when Harvey stood on the top of the barricade ready to leap down, the animal was directly beneath him ready for a spring.
It would have been an easy matter to shoot him then and there; but the detective was not willing to discharge his weapon, and, armed with a heavy stick, he leaped upon him.
Unfortunately, just as he jumped some of the wood rolled from beneath his feet, and he was turned in such a manner that he fell prostrate before the enraged brute.
In another instant, and before he could have scrambled to his feet, the dog would have had him by the throat but for Jet, who was on the alert for just such an accident.
In a twinkling he was inside the enclosure, and the remainder of the party hardly had time to understand what had happened before his club descended on the animal's head.
One such blow was sufficient to put an end to this portion of the battle, and when Harvey stood erect once more the dog was still in death, save for the muscular twitching of his body.
Again Harvey clasped the boy by the hand, for the latter's timely action had saved the man from severe wounds, if nothing more serious, and then all advanced cautiously toward the house.
Listening at the door an instant, not a sound could be heard.
From the silence all believed the men had made their escape, but yet it would not be wise to take that for granted.
Harvey raised his weapon, looked around to make certain his companions were ready to join in the assault, and then whispered:
"Now! Strike together, and keep it up till something gives way."
The words had hardly been spoken when the heavy sticks of wood were launched against the door, and before a second blow could be given the report of a revolver rang out sharp and angry on the night air.
"We have got them!" the detective shouted triumphantly, for there was no reason why they should remain silent. "Work quickly, boys!"
Again and again were the blows delivered, causing the barrier to splinter and creak on its hinges, and the fusillade of shots was kept up during this portion of the task.
The assaulting party were so near within the shadow of the building that those inside, who appeared to be in the upper story, could not take good aim without exposing themselves, and the bullets fled wide of their mark.
Crash! Crash!
With each blow portions of the door were splintered off, until, before one hardly had time to count twelve from the beginning of the assault, the besiegers had free access to the building.
"Let one stay here and the others follow me!" Harvey cried, as he drew his revolver and rushed at full speed up the ladder.
Jet was close at his heels. He intended to take a man's part in the capture, and for the time being all thought of danger was forgotten.
The firing had come from the front room, and there Harvey ran after gaining the upper floor.
"Stand back, Jet, they're bound to shoot when the door is opened," he said as he halted before the second barrier.
"I'll take my share of it," the boy replied, and he pressed forward for the honor of entering first, but Harvey pushed him back quickly as he laid his hand on the wooden latch.
To the surprise of both the door yielded readily to the hand, instead of being locked, as was supposed.
Harvey sprang in and Jet stepped so close behind as almost to tread on his leader's heels.
One man stood in the center of the apartment brandishing a revolver, which he discharged full at the detective.
The latter had stooped suddenly on entering, and the bullet buried itself in the woodwork above his head.
Quick as thought Harvey threw himself forward, overturning the defender of the house and causing him to lose his weapon.
"Stand guard over this fellow, and shoot him as you would a dog if he so much as makes the least motion to get up," the detective shouted to Jet. Then he sprang back to the ladder. "They have given us the slip. Get into the yard while I search the other rooms."
The Albany detectives had not yet had time to ascend, and they obeyed at once, while Harvey ran quickly through the other rooms.
A search of five minutes was sufficient to show that the building had no other occupant than the prisoner whom Jet was guarding, and Harvey returned to the front room.
"When did your pals leave?" he asked as he slipped a pair of handcuffs on the fellow's wrists.
"They went away this morning. What right have you to break into innocent men's houses?"
"We will explain that matter later. Tell me where the others went."
"Don't you wish you may find out?"
"It will be better for you to give all the information possible if you want to save your own skin."
"I've heard roosters like you before, so there's no use in crowing to me."
"Can you find a light, Jet? I want to see what the scoundrel looks like."
"You'll see enough of me before this thing is ended," the man said with a growl, and Harvey looked around suspiciously, so confident was the fellow's tone.
Jet soon found a candle on the rude affair which answered as a table, but its light revealed nothing of importance.
The room had no other furniture than a cot bed on which were a pile of coarse blankets, two stools and a sort of shelf that served as a table.
By this time the detectives had come in from the yard with the report that nothing could be found to show when the others left.
The stable was empty, and had evidently been so for several hours.
"One of you stand guard over this fellow, and we will search the house. Come on, Jet, and show me where you were imprisoned," Harvey said as he took up the candle and left the room.
The boy obeyed and a thorough search was made of the premises.
To the surprise of all nothing of importance was found.
If the men had had machinery for making counterfeit money, everything had been taken away.
The building contained nothing more than might have been found in any honest dwelling, and Harvey said in a tone of disappointment:
"They must have worked like beavers from the time it was learned the boy had made his escape, and that fellow in the other room was pretty near right when he made his threats, for we have broken into a building without legal right to do anything of the kind."
"If they had presses here we should be able to find them in the morning, for the whole plant must be buried near by; it couldn't have been carried away in this short time," the men from Albany suggested.
This seemed reasonable, and Harvey decided to make a thorough search before returning.
The prisoner was secured to the heavy table in the back room on the lower floor, and until daylight the party discussed the matter in all its bearings.
Then Harvey said as he went toward the door:
"Now, let's get to work, and finish this job by night-fall if possible."
At that instant he stepped outside, and at the same moment the reports of two weapons were heard from the direction of the woods, the bullets striking within an inch of the detective's head.
He leaped back under cover, saying bitterly as he did so:
"The villains are sharper than I gave them credit for, and have got us like rats in a trap. We were allowed to come in, and now they propose to shoot us down at their leisure, for the gang can't afford to let us leave here alive!"
If either of the party had looked at the prisoner when the shots were heard it would have been possible to understand that he was expecting something of the kind.
His face lighted up with an expression of joy, and one could readily fancy he believed the time near at hand when the tables would be turned with a vengeance.
Harvey was more chagrined than frightened.
The fact that he had not suspected something of the kind when it was learned the house had been virtually abandoned, cut deep into his professional pride, and he blamed himself more severely than any other member of the party could have done.
"A child would have had more sense than to fancy they had given us the slip and taken all their stuff with them," he said, angrily. "I have simply done what they allowed a fool would do, and now we must pay the piper."
"But they'll make a mighty poor fist of trying to take us out of here," one of the detectives said, consolingly.
"That goes without saying; but how about our leaving when we get ready? They have us where we can't show our noses outside, and in this desolate spot we needn't expect any help for it would take a month of steady work for a person to find us, and I don't reckon the house is provisioned to stand such a siege."
"I haven't seen anything in the way of food, and I've been into every room."
"Most likely you'll find that the stock of water is quite as low. We're penned up here without a chance of helping ourselves unless we're willing to stand a regular battle."
"Well, I don't see why we shouldn't be able to do, that. According to the boy's story there are only three, without counting this man, therefore the forces are equal in numbers."
"That is true; but they have the advantage of position by being hidden in the woods, and we can't show our noses out of doors without the certainty of acting as targets while they are under cover."
It was not necessary to discuss the matter at any very great length in order to understand that they had voluntarily entered a trap, and the entire party gazed at each other in silence while the prisoner appeared to enjoy the situation hugely.
"I can't see why they want to pen us up here?" Jet said in a low tone to Harvey when the two were in one of the rear rooms gazing from the window, and the remainder of the party were with the prisoner.
"It is plain enough," was the petulant reply. "When they found that you had escaped it was quite natural to suppose you would lead officers here. Those fellows wanted to get their precious bodies out of the way; but yet were not willing to leave all their belongings behind. The work was done systematically. Everything was first carried a short distance into the woods, and a man left here on guard so we should be certain to come into the trap."
"Well?"
"Well, while we are here those fellows are carting off their stuff, and when that has been safely done we shall be allowed to go free, or they may possibly try to rescue the prisoner, although that would be needless, since we have no evidence against him."
"Wouldn't things be all right if you could know where the things were hidden?"
"Of course; why do you ask?"
"Because it seems to me that I might slip out of here after dark and watch them."
"There would be too much danger in such a job. They had rather get hold of you than succeed in carrying the stuff away, for you are an important witness against them, and once in their hands your lease of life would be cut mighty short."
"I'll run the risk of their getting hold of me."
"But I won't, so there is no need of discussing the matter. I am going to post the men at the windows in the hope we shall get a shot at one of the crowd, and while that is being done you must make another search of the house to find out what we have got in the way of water and provisions."
Jet obeyed at once, and the detective placed his assistants at different points where a view of the woods could be had, impressing upon them the importance of trying to shoot down one or more of the besiegers.
A search of the building failed to reveal anything which would aid in "holding the fort."
Not so much as a cracker could be found, and the supply of water was hardly more than a quart, which had been left in a pail on the kitchen table.
Harvey had nothing to say when Jet made his report. He had joined his assistants in trying to get a shot at the men, and seemed to think of nothing else.
Left to himself, Jet wandered around the building trying to devise some means of helping his companions, and before noon he fancied he had a plan which promised success.
At the rear of the house next to the barn was a pile of fuel prepared for the stove, and near by were two water barrels.
"There is enough around to prevent them from seeing me if I crawled out to the barn, and I'm going to do it to-night, whether Mr. Harvey is willing or not," he said to himself as he ascended the stairs.
All the men were on guard; but nothing suspicious had been seen.
"There is no need of their showing themselves, and I question if more than one is on guard," Harvey said in reply to the boy's question.
"I want to do something," Jet said, and then he explained the plan he had formed. "There must be an outlet from the barn at the back, and even if there isn't I can get through all right in the darkness."
"We can't stay idle while those fellows are carrying off their goods," the detective said after some thought, "and I believe I will go with you. We'll leave the others here a while, and see what it is possible to do."
Jet would have preferred to make the attempt alone, but he could say nothing against the officer's decision, and the latter at once began to make his plans.
The two men from Albany were told what was to be tried, and cautioned to keep the house well guarded during the absence of the others.
"Above all things have your eyes open for the prisoner," Harvey said warningly. "It is of the utmost importance that we hold him, and you must shoot the fellow rather than let him give you the slip."
A series of signals were decided upon so that the defenders might know when their comrades were coming back; the weapons were carefully examined to make certain they were in good working order, and then there was nothing to be done but await the coming of night.
All hands were both hungry and thirsty; but since nothing could be done to relieve their wants no one complained.
When the night had fully settled down Harvey laid his hand on Jet's shoulder to signify that he was ready, for the prisoner was to be kept in ignorance concerning their movements, and the two, followed by one of the other detectives, descended to the kitchen.
"Barricade the door as soon as we go out," the leader whispered, "for it isn't impossible that the men have crept nearer the building since sunset."
"Suppose you should meet them before getting out of the house?"
"Then we must fight alone, unless you can aid us from the upper window, for I would rather get the worst of it than to let that fellow escape. Follow me, Jet, and don't attempt to go ahead."
Harvey opened the door softly, dropped to his hands and knees, and crawled into the yard.
Jet copied every movement, and the two worked their way toward the barn, stopping every few feet to listen for some sound from the enemy.
All was quiet as the grave, and not even so much as the rustling of the leaves broke the stillness.
The barn door was not fastened, and Harvey pulled it open a short distance, rising to his feet as he gained the entrance.
A moment later the two were in the building groping their way from one point to another in the hope of finding a place of exit.
Now Harvey stopped for a final word.
"If it should happen that those fellows on the outside get the best of me, make every effort to escape."
"Not at the cost of leaving you alone."
"At any price, so that you can telegraph in my name for more men to be sent up."
"Do you want the inspector to know it?"
"No; wire the chief of police at Albany, and wait at the first station you reach for them to come. Here is money."
He handed Jet what seemed like quite a large roll of bills, and then advanced in the darkness once more.
By good fortune rather than skill he found, a moment later, that for which he was seeking.
A small window, used for throwing out offal, was before him, and through this he crawled, turning, as he gained the outside, to assist Jet.
They were now in the shadow of the building with a cleared space of about twenty yards to be traversed before they could gain the shelter of the trees.
Again the detective dropped to his hands and knees, Jet following his example.
Silently and cautiously they crept across the opening; but just as they were half way it seemed to Jet as if a solid sheet of fire lighted up the clearing, and the reports which followed were almost deafening.
The enemy had expected exactly the move which was being made, and were counting on killing their foes.
Fortunately the bullets had passed over the heads of the two reclining figures, and Jet was about to leap to his feet when Harvey said sternly:
"Stay where you are, and give them a dose!"
At the same instant he began firing his revolver, aiming at the place from which the flash of weapons had been seen.
Jet did as he was bidden until his weapon was emptied, and then he saw Harvey leap to his feet and run at full speed diagonally across the opening.
He did the same, loading the weapon as he went, and just as both reached the fringe of foliage the detective fell before the fire of those in the woods.
"Are you hurt?" Jet whispered as he knelt by the side of his friend regardless of the danger.
"They have put a bullet through my leg, and I reckon that does me up."
"Let me try to get you back."
"It can't be done, my boy. Remember what I told you, and start at once."
"But I don't want to leave you here?"
"You must; our only hope is that you can reach a telegraph station. Run the best you know how while I give them something to occupy their attention."
Jet hesitated no longer.
It seemed cruel to desert a wounded friend; but the order had been given, and he could not refuse to obey it.
Harvey discharged his weapon rapidly, and the boy ran at full speed in the opposite direction fearing he would never again see in life the man who had promised to befriend him.