“It’s no fool of a job getting away in this darkness,” remarked Yates. “It’s as dark as pitch, and I don’t know a thing about the island or the lake shore.” “You are no worse off than I,” replied Avery. “I’ve only been around for a few days, and those were spent principally about Bayport.” “Let us go down to the shore, and see how the land lays,” suggested Mr. Norton. This was agreed to, and a moment later the three rose and made a move for the spot where the Catch Me had landed. When they were out of sight I hastily struck a match and scrawled these words on a bit of paper:―― “Gone to shore where the Catch Me was beached.” This brief message I pinned fast to the bark of a tree and then followed the men. As I moved along my thoughts were busy, thinking over what I had heard. It was a surprise to me to learn that the robbery had been so perfectly planned, and that I had been dragged into it because to do so was a trick “of the trade,” whatever that might mean. Mr. Norton and his actions were a perfect mystery to me. He had taken such pains to establish himself as my guardian, and now he seemed willing to let the whole matter drop. Of course he had not expected to be discovered as one of the robbers of the bank, but for all that I――well, I simply couldn’t understand the man. The men moved along swiftly, and in order to keep them in sight, I had to approach quite close to them. In doing this I was injudicious, and when they suddenly halted, I nearly ran over them. I checked myself as quickly as possible, but not before I had made considerable noise, which reached the ears of the entire party at once. “What was that?” exclaimed Mr. Norton. “Somebody following us!” cried Avery. “Hullo, there! who are you?” he called out, as he made a dash back. I made no reply, but continued to retreat. In a moment the whole party were in pursuit. “We must catch him, whoever he is,” cried Mr. Norton. “I shouldn’t wonder if it is one of the fellows that followed me in the boat.” “Why not leave him go and skip ourselves?” asked Yates, halting. “No, no,” put in Avery. “If he is alone he will put others on our track. He has overheard all we have said. Catch him!” And they made after me with renewed vigor. But I was nimble of foot, and was soon a fair distance away. In front of me I saw a large cedar-tree, and it did not take me long to climb into this and secrete myself among the branches. As I did so, the party burst into the vacant space below. “Phew! but he can run, whoever he is,” exclaimed Avery, puffing. “Listen!” cried Mr. Norton; and they all did so. I kept an absolute silence, and nothing but the croaking of frogs and the lonely hooting of an owl broke the stillness. “It’s no use,” he went on. “The fellow, whoever he is, has got away, and it’s worse than hunting for a pin in a haystack to try to find him.” The other two were silent, and by looking down I saw Avery scratch his forehead.