"That's just it. Tom is able to stand up for himself in an even fight, but if Crabtree played him some trick--" "Let us hunt for him," interrupted the elder Rover. "There is no use of our sitting down and sucking our thumbs." They went along the road until the spot was gained where Josiah Crabtree had been last seen. Then they began a systematic search until Sam discovered what he said were fresh footprints leading directly into the woods. At one point one of the prints was very plain, and they saw that it was made by a long shoe, square-toed. "I reckon you have struck it, Sam," said Dick, after an inspection. "Now if only we can stick to the trail to the end." Fortunately the ground was so damp that the trail could be followed with ease. An hour's walking brought them to the rock where the former teacher had spent the larger part, of the night. "He made a stop here, that's certain," observed Dick, as they surveyed the criss-cross tracks. "Like as not he got mixed up in the dark, Dick. It must have been awfully black here under the trees." Presently they discovered another trail, leading up a hill. Beyond was a tall tree which Josiah Crabtree had climbed in order to obtain a better view of the surroundings. From the tree the trail led directly toward the lake. "We're on his track, all right enough," observed Sam. "But if he took to the water we'll lose it, just as we lost Baxter's trail yesterday." The trail crossed the main road and came out at the lake where there was a slight bluff covered with a heavy growth of underbrush. To their right was an old building, which in years gone by had been a dwelling. "There is a fire over yonder," observed Dick, as he pointed past the building "Somebody seems to be burning a lot of wet brush. See the heavy smoke." "Perhaps the folks at the fire can tell us something of Crabtree," answered Sam. "Let us go over and interview them." His brother was willing, and as well as they were able they pushed their way through the brush toward the fire. The latter burned fiercely, and presently the two boys detected the odor of tar. Then they reached a point where they could overlook what was going on around the fire, for the blaze was located in something of a gully of the cliff. "Merciful heaven!" burst from Dick's lips, and he stood spellbound. Sam also gave a look, and the sight that both boys saw nearly froze the blood in their veins. CHAPTER VIII WHAT BECAME OF TOM To go back to Tom at the time when he left Dick and the Stanhopes, and started to return to Putnam Hall. He went away whistling gayly, for he thought that all danger was over. "What a shame I had to miss the celebration," he murmured. "And after my success on the football field, too!" Soon the Stanhope grounds were left behind, and he struck the main road leading to the academy.