"Which only proves that he is a good actor," retorted Tom dryly. "Don't think me hardhearted, fellows, because I'm not. I'm always ready to give everybody his due. But I feel sure down in my heart that this thing was all fixed up beforehand, and some day you'll find that I'm right." For more than two hours they kept up the search without result, and the fact that they had not had their supper was forced upon them with growing insistency. "Isn't there any time limit to this?" grumbled Bart. "I'll be hunting for acorns instead of a prisoner before long." "I've got a vacuum where my stomach ought to be," moaned Billy. "Gee, wouldn't I like to be streaking it for the mess room." "Cork up, you fellows," commanded Frank. "Listen! I thought I heard something just then." The talking ceased instantly, and all stood as rigid as statues. "It's a horse coming this way," whispered Frank, after a moment of strained attention. "Quick, fellows, get behind these bushes and have your rifles ready!" They crouched low and peered up a little glade that ran through the forest. But the noise ceased as suddenly as it had begun and they began to think that their comrade had been mistaken. "Guess Frank's been stringing us," chaffed Billy. "He's the only one who seems to have heard anything," said Tom. "Don't you worry about my hearing," said Frank. "I tell you I heard a horse's hoofs. Perhaps the rider suspects something and is trying to get a line on us, just as we're trying to get one on him." "It may have been a horse all right," said Billy, "but that doesn't say he had any rider. He may be rambling around all by his lonesome, and perhaps he's stopped to graze somewhere." "There he goes again!" exclaimed Frank, and this time every one of them heard what was undeniably the thud of a horse's hoofs. But there was a hesitation, an uncertainty about the animal's movements that seemed unusual. It moved as though it had no purpose in view no guiding hand on the reins. At times the canter seemed to subside into a walk. There was something about this unseen steed, at large in the dim forest, that gave the boys a most uncomfortable feeling. Then suddenly a more resolute note in the sound and an increase in its volume told the listening boys that the horse was coming straight toward them. The clatter of hoofs drew nearer, and they clutched their guns more tightly. Soon they were able to distinguish in the gloom the outline of a horse and rider. The man's figure loomed up huge and threatening, and they felt sure that it was the big German corporal for whom they were searching. The boys waited until the horse was almost upon them and then rushed out into the road. "Halt!" cried Frank. He seized the horse's rein while the others leveled their rifles at the rider. The horse reared in fright, but the rider made no answer nor did he attempt to draw a weapon. "Get down!" commanded Frank. "We've got you covered. Surrender." Still the rider remained silent.