“And so am I,” put in Ford. “If either of you discover anything, report it to Pointer or me at once.” This we agreed to; and a moment later Ford and I picked our way through the rank undergrowth to the main road some two or three hundred feet beyond. “I’ll bet a new hat that one of the chaps came this way,” said my helper to me when we were some distance on our way. “What makes you think so?” “Because the bushes are pushed aside in a number of places.” “That might have been done by a stray cow, Dan.” “Cows don’t stray away as far as this,” he laughed. “Perhaps not. Well, let us hope we are on the right track.” It did not take us long to reach the main road. We looked up and down. Not a soul was in sight. “I did not expect to see any one,” I said. “They have several hours’ start of us.” “Which way shall we go?” “I hardly know. If I am not mistaken, there is a farmhouse just beyond the bend. Let us ask for information there.” “By all means.” It did not take us long to reach the place mentioned. We found an old man hard at work in a field beside the shed, which also stood near the road. “Good-morning,” said I. “We would like a little information.” “Morning, young man. Well, what’s it ye want to know?” “Did you see or hear any one passing down the road some time after three o’clock this morning?” “Reckon I did, about four o’clock.” “Did you see or hear the party?” “Both, young man,” and Farmer Holden grinned. “What time, please?” “Close onto five o’clock. It was a tall, slim man. He stopped at the shed just while I was milking the cows.” “A tall, slim man!” I cried. “And did he wear a funny shaped hat?” “Well, I reckon the hat was the first thing I noticed,” was the reply. “It was the oddest thing I had seen in these parts for quite a spell.” “It must have been Mr. Norton!” CHAPTER XXVII. AT THE DEPOT. “And who’s Mr. Norton?” asked the farmer curiously. “One of the Bayport diamond robbers.” “Gee-gopher! you don’t say!” “Yes; what did he want?” “Wanted to know the right road to Chester.” “And did he set off in that direction?” “He did. I reckon he wanted to make the morning train for Philadelphia.” “And when does that leave?” “About ten o’clock.” “Thank you. Come on, Ford. We have no time to lose.” And we hurried off, leaving Farmer Holden standing by the fence, his mouth wide open with astonishment. Chester was a large city, some five miles distant. It was now half-past eight, so we had no time to lose. We walked rapidly. When about half the distance was covered a wagon came along, and we got a ride for the balance of the way. We jumped to the pavement as soon as we reached the main street. Ford was in for going to the depot, and so off we started. A moment later, as we turned a corner, I was nearly dumfounded to come face to face with Mr. Norton, accompanied by Yates!