This, however, proved to be not quite as easy as had been expected.  The trail into the woods was rather a plain one, though it could not be followed at a run.

“Keep behind me, fellows,” urged Dick.  “If you keep up with me you may blot out the trail.”

So his five chums came after him, with the girls in the rear, in a straggling line.

Into the deepest woods the trail led.  “The girls will soon tire of this chase, and face about,” Tom told Darry.

Which was precisely what happened.

In the deepest part of the woods Dick parted a tangle of bushes through which the trail led.  Then, in a voice vibrant with agitation, he shouted: 

“Come on, fellows!  Quick!”

CHAPTER X

SETTING A NEW TRAP

What Dick had caught sight of, and what had made him call to his chums was the figure of the camp prowler partially dressed seated on the edge of a pool of water fed by a forest brook where evidently he had been bathing.

He had heard Dick’s cry, however.  These few instants of time had been enough for the bather to jump up, snatch up the remainder of his clothes and set off through the woods with the speed of an antelope.

“Come on!” cheered Dick Prescott.  “Full speed!  We’ll catch him.  He hasn’t his shoes on, and his bare feet will soon go lame on the twigs and stones that he’ll step on in running.  He can’t go far before we nab him.”

“Spread out, fellows!” called Tom Reade.  “Don’t let the rascal slip through our line.  Dick, did you get a good look at him?”

“A fine peep,” Prescott affirmed.

“Was he the thief?” Dave demanded.

“The very fellow!” Dick called back, for he was still in the lead.

“Don’t talk any more,” Reade warned his friends cautiously.  “We’ll use up our wind.”

As he ran Dick had an important secret on his mind.  This was not quite the time to impart it to his chums, however, so he held his peace and did his best to save his wind.

Thus half a mile, at least, was quickly traversed.  By this time the high school boys, running as they had done, began to feel winded.

“I can’t go any further,” gasped Hazelton, halting and leaning against a tree.

“I’m in the same fix,” muttered Danny Grin. as he, too, came to a stop.

Reade, Darrin and Prescott ran on some distance farther, but at last Dick called a brief signal for a halt.

“Where are you, friend?” bawled Dick, using his last wind in one resolute vocal effort.

“Friend!” scoffed Reade.

“Of course the fellow will call and tell us where he is!” jeered Darry.

“We won’t hurt you—–­won’t try to,” Dick promised solemnly, again sending his voice as far as he could make it travel.  “All we want to do is to talk to you—–­and we’re friends honestly!”