Immediately a great hubbub ensued.  Those who did not know what all the fuss was about had to be “put wise,” as William said.  And Paul was called upon to explain his plans for the tracking of little Willie Boggs, who had become as a chip on the torrent, a wanderer in that mysterious forest, the end of which few Stanhope fellows had ever reached in their wanderings up over the hills.

There were now fourteen present, and Paul determined not to wait for any more of the troop to come to time.

“Fall in!”

Down the street they marched, the lanterns flickering as they swung to and fro.

No wonder people, rushing to the doors as shouts arose, began to ask eagerly if the lost child had been recovered.

“It’s the Boy Scouts; and they’re going out to join the hunt!” some one shouted.

“Oh! they’re about a mile behind Ted and his crowd!” jeered one fellow who must have had leanings toward the Slavin party; he had been detected in cheating so often in every game boys played that for months now he found himself left severely alone by decent fellows, and it was reported had applied for admission to the patrol Ward and Ted were getting up.

Out of the town, and straight to the spot where the lost boy had last been seen Paul led his squad.  He knew that it would be only a miracle if the many feet that had trod the ground over would have left any trace of the child’s little shoes; but he still had hopes that the training some of his scouts possessed would bring more or less success.

The unique sight of all those lanterns on the road had attracted many people, so that when they arrived at the spot Paul had in mind, fully thirty followed, a number of them boys who came only to make sport of the scouts.

“Spread out, fellows,” said the scout leader, quietly, “and examine every foot of ground.  If you find a single impression of Willie’s little shoe, give the signal, and I’ll come; but hold your places every one.”

Immediately the scene became an animated one.  Lanterns flashed hither and thither, swinging close to the ground; while young eyes searched diligently for a trace.

In less than five minutes the signal sounded, and Paul hurried over to the one who had given the same.  Jack was at his elbow, and between them they examined the mark, to ascertain in what quarter it pointed.

Then the advance was taken up in that direction.

Again came the thrilling cry that told of a new footprint that had been found.

This time it was Wallace Carberry who had made the discovery.  He talked so intelligently about it that Paul determined to keep him close by.  Wallace would be a valuable advisor in case he and Jack disagreed at any time as to what the signs meant.

So they went on for an hour, finding a footprint now and then to encourage them.  These came at more frequent intervals when they got far enough away to avoid the trampled soil where the crowd had hunted all the afternoon.