Nat was trembling with suspense; and doubtless Toby, on the other hand, was almost as badly off. Elmer had come to a halt as the sound of that voice reached them; but it was for only a fraction of a minute. He knew that it was policy on their part to creep up, foot by foot; because, when Lil Artha wanted help he would need it in a hurry. If they were too far away perhaps those energetic Fairfield plotters might be able to throw the tall lad into the car, and start going; when, as Nat might have expressed it, "the fat would be in the fire." "Why, hello! Who's that?" they heard Lil Artha reply, in the most natural tone any fellow could display. Of course he ought to show surprise at being suddenly hailed from the bushes so far away from home, and by some one familiar with his name. Evidently the quartette at that came out of hiding and surrounded the tall lad; for his next exclamation seemed to announce this fact. "Four of you, hey? Well, this is nice of you, boys, to come all this way just to give me a good word of cheer!" he remarked. "Hold up, don't be in such a hurry to get along, Lil Artha," said one who seemed to be the leader of the lot. "But how do I know how close some other fellow may be on my heels!" remarked the tall lad; although he evidently did not make any further attempt to brush past them. "Say, that's just it!" declared the unknown, who, no doubt, had his hat pulled down over his face, and depended on this, as well as the gathering gloom of approaching night, to conceal his identity. "There is a Fairfield fellow hot on your trail, and he's bound to beat you out, because he's got his second wind." "Yes," spoke up another, quickly, chuckling at the same time; "that's what we're bothered about, Lil Artha. We just can't bear the idea of you being beat to a frazzle by Felix Wagner." "But I don't mean to be, you know, boys," expostulated the tall boy. "Little Falls ain't mor'n nine miles ahead; and if Felix has got his second wind, I'm in the same boat myself. Count on me to get there ahead of him, fellows!" "But you might have an accident, stub your toe or something like that," declared the leader of the opposition. "So might Felix," remarked Lil Artha, cheerfully. "Yes, that's so," came the reply; "but you don't know the luck of that Dutchman. Everything comes his way, Lil Artha." "Well, this hike won't, bet you a cookey!" remarked the other, stubbornly. "He's right behind you, and coming like a house afire." "Then what in the dickens are you keeping me waiting here for?" demanded Lil Artha, indignantly. "I'll tell you," replied the leader of the four, mysteriously. "Hurry up, then, and let me go ahead," ordered the tall lad. "We've been talking it over, you see," began the other. "It's plain enough that talking is something in your trade," commented Lil Artha, bitterly; and Elmer heard Toby alongside him chuckle softly, as though he might be enjoying these caustic remarks of their tall chum mightily.