"You're right, Dick. That's what he'd do," said Stubbs, admiring his companion's penetration. "Then we must go over to Stover's." "All right! I'm with you." "I'm a poor man, Bob, but I'd give a ten dollar bill to have that kid in my power once more." "I don't doubt it, Dick." "I hate to have it said that a kid like that got the advantage of Dick Hayden." "So would I, Bob." "If I get hold of him I'll give him a lesson that he won't soon forget." "And serve him right too." The two men rose, and took their way across the fields, following exactly the same path which our hero had traveled earlier in the morning. They walked with brisk steps, having a definite purpose in view. Dick Hayden was intensely anxious to recapture Kit, whose escape had balked him of his vengeance, and mortified him exceedingly. As he expressed it, he could not bear to think that a boy of sixteen had got the advantage of him. At length they reached the red house already referred to, and saw Ham Stover, the owner, in the yard. "You are up betimes, Dick," said Stover. "What's in the wind?" "Have you seen aught of a boy of sixteen passin' this way?" asked Dick, anxiously. "A likely lookin' lad, well dressed?" "Yes." "He was round here an hour ago, and took breakfast in the house." This was true; the slight refreshment Janet had brought him having proved insufficient to completely stay the cravings of Kit's appetite after his night in the cabin. "Where is he now?" "What do you want of him?" "Never you mind--I'll tell you bimeby. Where is he?" "He wanted me to harness up and take him to Groveton." Dick Hayden and Stubbs exchanged glances. It was evident that they had struck Kit's trail. "Well, did you do it?" "No; I couldn't spare the time. Besides I wanted the horse to go to the village. I'm going to harness up now." "What did the boy do?" "He walked." "How long since did he start?" "About half an hour or thereabouts." Dick Hayden made a rapid calculation. "We may overtake him if we walk fast," he said. Without stopping to enlighten the curiosity of Mr. Stover the two men set out rapidly on the Groveton road. CHAPTER XXXI. IN THE ENEMY'S HANDS. Mr. Stover was considerably surprised when twenty minutes later, looking up from his work in the yard, he saw a man of colossal size crossing the street. He hadn't attended the circus, and had not therefore heard of the giant, who was one of its principal features. "Who in creation can that be?" Stover asked himself. Achilles Henderson turned into the yard, and accosted the farmer: "Good morning, friend," he said. "Can you tell me if a boy of about sixteen has passed here this morning?" "That boy again!" thought the bewildered farmer. "Yes," he answered. "Please describe him." Mr. Stover did so. "The very one!" said Achilles. "Now how long since was he here?" "He took breakfast with my family, and started off nigh on to an hour ago." "In what direction did he go?"