“But they have lost them?” “All the same they seem to know how to regain them. We must be prompt and cautious, and we shall succeed in outwitting them.” They finally began to make inquiries at Portsmouth about two strange boys, and this resulted in the obtaining of a definite clue to the whereabouts of Tim and Rodney, for the former had made himself conspicuous at the village by getting intoxicated, and even had not attempted to conceal his real name. The man who directed Marcus and Dean to the crossroad tavern, was a woodchopper at the edge of the town, and he smiled as he said: “Downey, eh? He’s a wild one and in considerable demand just now.” “How so?” asked Marcus curiously. “Two men looking for him here to-day.” “Who were they?” “Strangers.” “Can you describe them?” “I’ll try to.” The woodchopper did describe them. “Daley and Spofford!” ejaculated Dean as they walked on. “Yes, it’s them.” “And here.” “The four plotters in the case, yes.” “We must be very cautious.” “I should say so; particularly with those two men,” replied Marcus. “You see they have come here to help Downey.” “Do what?” “Something about the stolen money and papers.” “I wish I knew what.” “We must find out.” They did not venture near the crossroad tavern until toward dusk. Near it Dean waited in a thicket, while Marcus reconnoitered. He returned shortly, and with a serious face. “Well, they’re there, Dean!” he responded. “I supposed they were. Is Rodney Darringford there?” “Yes; he and Tim, and Daley and Spofford. They are carousing, and seem to be friends with everybody about the tavern. I couldn’t dare to venture near enough to them to listen to them. Here, Dean, quick! Stand a little more out in the road.” “What’s up, now?” “See that boy?” “Coming whistling down the road?” “Yes.” “Who is he?” “One of the tavern keeper’s boys. He must know something about Tim and Rodney and their plans, for they’ve been at the tavern several days.” “What of it?” “Wait and see!” The boy came down the road. He stopped whistling as he observed Marcus and Dean, and stared curiously at them. “I tell you, the name of those two boys is Danvers and Lance!” cried Marcus in a loud tone of voice. “I’ll leave it to this boy. Say, bub!” “Hello!” “Do you know the tavern people?” “Belong there.” “There’s two boys staying there?” “Yes.” “Named Danvers and Lance?” “No, they ain’t.” “What then?” “Tim Downey and Rodney.” “Rodney what?” “Dunno.” “Sure that’s their names?” “Yes.” Marcus had purposely led on to this conversation, to get the tavern keeper’s boy to talk. “Who are they, anyway?” he asked. “They come from Springfield, I reckon. They got robbed near here a few nights ago, and they’re looking for the thief.” “Why, how was that?” asked Marcus. “Well, you see, we have a woman living round here, named Crazy Meg.” “Yes.”