"It's a good deal like looking for a needle in a haystack," was the comment of the senator's son, after a full hour had been spent in the hunt. They had left the sleigh and had walked around a number of mills and tenement houses which were situated in that locality. "I've got an idea," said Dave, as several children approached them. "I'm going to ask the youngsters if they've seen a young man who looks like me." The first boys and girls to whom the subject was broached shook their heads and declared they had seen nobody that resembled Dave. Then our hero and his chum passed on to other children, and finally to some men working around a newly-constructed tenement. "Why sure! I saw a young feller wot looked like you," said a youth who was piling up some lumber. "He ast me fer a match. Say! he looked like he could have been your twin," he added in wonder; and then continued suddenly: "Maybe youse is playin' a trick on me, and it was youse got the match?" "No, I never met you before," answered Dave, quickly. "When did you meet the other fellow, and where? I am very anxious to locate him." "It was down on de bridge, about an hour ago. I was comin' dis way, and he was goin' de udder way." "Was he smoking a cigarette?" asked Roger. "He had one o' de coffin-nails in his hand and he lit up after I given him de match." "Did he say anything?" questioned our hero. The carpenter's helper scratched his head for a moment. "Sure he did! He ast me if it was putty good walkin' to Bixter. I told him 'putty fair,' and den he went on and I came here." "Then he must have gone on to Bixter!" cried Roger. "How far is that from here?" "About two miles and a half," answered Dave. He turned to the carpenter's helper. "Much obliged to you." "Dat's all right. Say! but dat guy certainly looks like you," the carpenter's helper added, with a grin. "Come, we'll follow him," said Dave to his chum, and led the way on the run to where the horse was tied. Soon they were in the cutter once more. Dave urged the black along at his best speed, and over the bridge they flew, and then along the road leading to the village of Bixter. CHAPTER VII FACE TO FACE "If you catch Porton, Dave, what will you do--turn him over to the authorities?" "Yes, Roger." "Is Bixter much of a place?" "Oh, no. There are but two stores and two churches and not over thirty or forty houses." "Then you may have some trouble in finding an officer. Probably the village doesn't boast of anything more than a constable and a Justice of the Peace." "I am not worrying about that yet, Roger," returned our hero, grimly. "We have got to catch Porton first." "Oh, I know that. But if he started for Bixter on foot we ought to be able to locate him. A stranger can't go through such a small place without somebody's noticing it."