Having been brought beneath a cloud of suspicion, Frank was determined to vindicate himself in some manner. He sincerely hoped it might turn out that the girl was innocent. If she were innocent, then she must be in trouble, and he hoped to be instrumental in relieving her. It was well the lads had obtained two good horses, for they were able to keep well in advance of the pursuers. Once or twice they fancied they saw rising dust in the far distance, which led them to believe the man and girl were there. If they were right, then the couple in advance were urging their horses to the limit, for they kept beyond view. The road grew rougher and rougher. The mountains shut in on either hand, and still they climbed upward. The horses panted and perspired, while horses and lads were covered with dust. "Do you know how far it is to the lake by this road?" asked Bart. "It can't be over ten miles." "Well, it is the longest ten miles of road I ever passed." The windings of the road shut the pursuers out from view. They were coming on when last seen, but had not seemed to gain in the least. At last an exclamation of satisfaction broke from Bart's lips. "There they are!" Far up the road, halted and looking back, were the man and girl, mounted on two dust-covered horses. "Sure as you live!" cried Frank. "We have been gaining on them." The boys were seen by the ones in advance, and the man made a gesture of rage, while the girl reached out and caught him by the arm, seeming to speak earnestly to him. He listened a moment, and then both touched up their horses, quickly galloping from view. Now the chase became hot, although the road became more difficult and perilous. Several times the lads obtained glimpses of the man and girl. Finally, with appalling suddenness, they came out upon the shore of Lake Tahoe, resting like a blue gem upon the mountain tops, upheld like a perfect mirror to a cloudless sky. Cries of surprise and admiration broke from the lips of both boys, for never before had they beheld such a lovely sheet of water. The surface of the lake was unbroken by a ripple, and the water, into which the heated horses thrust their noses, was clear as crystal. Afar, the mountain peaks rose like sentinels, their outlines softened to a purple shade. Along the shores were unmarred forests. For a few seconds the boys sat silent, gazing in speechless admiration on the beautiful scene, and then Frank gave a start and drew the nose of his horse from the water, saying: "Don't let your animal drink too much, Bart. They are very hot." "That's right," nodded the dark-haired lad, following Frank's example. "But where are the man and girl?" "They must have hidden up or down the shore of the lake. Look for the tracks of their horses." It did not take them long to discover which direction had been taken, and away they went. "I don't see how they are going to escape us," said Bart. "We have them cornered."