The only children of Theodore Alden, a wealthy farmer who lived about three miles from Bramley, unlike many brothers, they were chums. They were prime favorites, and their popularity, together with their natural ability and cool-headedness at critical moments, made them leaders in all sports. As it grew darker and darker, the brothers quickened their pace. Talking was out of the question, so fast were they going. But as they rounded a turn in the road, which enabled them to see the lights in their home, a quarter of a mile away, Larry gasped: "There's no light in the dining-room yet. Father hasn't gotten home!" "Come on then for a final spurt," returned Tom. Willingly Larry responded, and the boys dashed forward as though they were just starting out instead of ending a two-mile run. On the right-hand side of the road a fringe of bushes hedged a swamp. The patter of the boys' feet on the hard clay road was the only sound that broke the stillness. Their goal, with the bright lights shining from the windows, was only about three hundred yards away when suddenly from the direction of the swamp sounded a sullen snarl. "Did you hear anything?" asked Larry. "I thought so." As though to settle all doubt, the growl rang out again. This time it was nearer and sounded more ominous. For a moment the boys looked at each other, then, as with one accord, turned their heads and looked in the direction whence the startling noise had come. Just as they did so there came another howl, and an instant later a big black form, for all the world like a large dog, leaped from the bushes into the road. "Quick, quick!" cried Larry, seizing his brother's arm and pulling him along, for Tom had slackened his speed, as though fascinated by the sight of the strange animal. "It must be that wolf father read about, the one that got away when the circus train was passing through Husted." And, Larry was right. The animal was indeed a wolf that had escaped from its cage through the door, the fastener on which had been jarred out of place by the motion of the train, and had leaped to liberty. The circus people had reported the loss as soon as it had been discovered and it had been duly announced in the papers. Mr. Alden had read about it, but all had laughed at the thought of a wolf in placid Ohio and dismissed the story as a circus man's joke. Rejoicing in its freedom, the beast had wandered about till it struck the swamp and now the air brought to its keen nose the scent of the boys passing. Ravenously hungry, the wolf hastened toward the lads. As it bounded into the road the glare from the lights of the farmhouse momentarily blinded it and it stood blinking. But only for an instant. Instinctively realizing that it must catch them before they reached the lights, the wolf uttered a savage snarl and bounded forward. Larry's words to his brother had roused the boy, and together they were racing toward the welcome lights of their home.