Night was coming on by the time they gained the nearest farmhouse.
Here they found three men, to whom they explained the situation.
All of the men smiled grimly.

"If he went into the woods it would be a hard job to trail him,"
was the comment from Farmer Mason. "If he ain't careful he'll
lose himself so completely he'll never git out, b'gosh!"

"Well, I don't know but what that would suit me," responded Tom
dryly.

The search was begun, and several others joined in. It lasted
until night was fairly upon the party and was then given up in
disgust.

"It's no use," said Dick. "He has slipped us!"

"But we ought to notify the authorities," said Tom. "They will
probably put a detective on his track."

"Yes; but a detective can't do any more than we can, up in this
wild locality."

"He won't remain in the woods forever. He'll starve to death."

"Well, we can send the police a telegram from Cedarville."

This was done, and the Rover boys returned to Putnam Hall by way
of the side road leaving past the homes of the Stanhopes and the