They passed under the outlying trees and presently emerged into a small, open space, in the midst of which was a hut.  Just beyond this hut was a sight that caused them to shout aloud with joy.  There, apparently unharmed, stood the missing aeroplane.

“Hurray!” shouted Roy, dashing forward.

The others were close on his heels.  In their excitement they paid little or no attention to the surroundings.  It might have been better for them had they done so.  As they dashed across the clearing two male figures slipped off among the thicker trees that lay beyond the open space and the hut.

A brief examination showed them that the aeroplane was undamaged.  There were a few scratches on it, but beyond that it appeared in perfect condition.

“We’ll fly back,” declared Jimsy to Peggy; “Roy can run the auto home.”

“That’s agreeable to me,” responded Roy; “but suppose we examine the vicinity first.  We might get a clew as to the rascals who are responsible for this.”

“That’s true,” agreed Jimsy.

“Then suppose we start with the hut first.”

They accepted this proposition eagerly.  The hut was a substantial looking building with a padlock on the door.  But the portal stood wide open, the padlock hanging in a hasp.

“What if anyone pounces on us?” asked Peggy in rather a scared tone.

“No fear of that,” replied Roy, “the place is plainly unoccupied.”

They entered the hut and found it to be as primitive inside as its exterior would indicate.  A table and two rude chairs stood within.  These, with the exception of a rusty cook stove in one corner, formed the sole furnishings.  There was not even a window in the place.

“Nothing much to be found here,” declared Roy after a cursory examination; “I guess this shack was put up by lumbermen or hunters.  It doesn’t seem to have been occupied for a long time.”

“I guess the men who took the aeroplane must have been pretty familiar with the place though,” opined Jimsy.

“No doubt of that,” replied Roy, “but that doesn’t give us any clew to their identity beyond bare suspicions.”

“Yes, and suspicions aren’t much good in law,” chimed in Peggy, “they—­Good gracious!”

The door closed suddenly with a bang.  Before Jimsy could spring across the room to open it there came a sharp click.

“Somebody’s padlocked it on the outside!” he cried.

“And we’re prisoners!” gasped Peggy.

“Yes, and without any chance of getting out, either,” declared Jimsy; “there’s not even a window in the place.”

“Well this is worse and more of it,” cried Roy.  “Who can have done that?”

“The same people that stole the Golden Butterfly," declared Peggy.  “Hark!”

Outside they heard rapidly retreating footsteps, followed by a harsh laugh.

“Let us out!” shouted Roy.

“You can stay there till judgment day, for all I care,” came back a hoarse, rasping voice; “you kids were too fresh, and now you’re getting what’s coming to you.”