These few instants of time
had been enough for the bather to jump up, snatch up the remainder
of his clothes and set off through the woods with the speed of
an antelope.
"Come on!" cheered Dick Prescott. "Full speed! We'll catch him.
He hasn't his shoes on, and his bare feet will soon go lame on
the twigs and stones that he'll step on in running. He can't
go far before we nab him."
"Spread out, fellows!" called Tom Reade. "Don't let the rascal
slip through our line. Dick, did you get a good look at him?"
"A fine peep," Prescott affirmed.
"Was he the thief?" Dave demanded.
"The very fellow!" Dick called back, for he was still in the lead.
"Don't talk any more," Reade warned his friends cautiously. "We'll
use up our wind."
As he ran Dick had an important secret on his mind. This was
not quite the time to impart it to his chums, however, so he held
his peace and did his best to save his wind.
Thus half a mile, at least, was quickly traversed. By this time
the high school boys, running as they had done, began to feel
winded.
"I can't go any further," gasped Hazelton, halting and leaning
against a tree.
"I'm in the same fix," muttered Danny Grin. as he, too, came
to a stop.
Reade, Darrin and Prescott ran on some distance farther, but at
last Dick called a brief signal for a halt.
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