Only thus could he account for their turning off the
main pike. The latter was now well guarded all the
way to Payson; while the Millsville road was still open.
No sooner had he departed than Willie Case disap-
peared, nor did he answer at noon to the repeated
ringing of the big, farm dinner bell.
Half way between the Case farm and Millsville de-
tective Burton saw, far ahead along the road, two figures
scale a fence and disappear behind the fringing black-
berry bushes which grew in tangled profusion on either
side. When they came abreast of the spot he ordered
the driver to stop; but though he scanned the open field
carefully he saw no sign of living thing.
"There are two men hiding behind those bushes," he
said to his companions in a low whisper. "One of you
walk ahead about fifty yards and the other go back the
same distance and then climb the fence. When I see you
getting over I'll climb it here. They can't get away from
us." To the driver he said: "You have a gun. If they
make a break go after 'em. You can shoot if they don't
stop when you tell 'em to."
The two men walked in opposite directions along the
road, and when Burton saw them turn in and start to
climb the fence he vaulted over the panel directly op-
posite the car.
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