"Well," said Mr. Ashton, later in the evening, as they still waited for some word from Jimmy, "there is no use sitting up all night. We might as well turn in, so we can get busy early in the morning."

This suggestion was acted upon at once. Young Wolfe, with a lantern, made his way to the stable, where he took up his vigil just outside Gabriel's stall, for the animal would not allow him to enter. The others went to bed.

The night pa.s.sed peacefully, and all were up bright and early in the morning.

"I am going to town immediately and see if I can learn anything," said Shirley at the breakfast table.

"You'll stay right here," said Mr. Willing decidedly. "I'll do the looking myself."

"I'll go too," said Leonard.

"Then why can't we go?" asked Mabel.

"Well," said Mr. Willing, "I have no objection to your going with Leonard, because he can keep you out of mischief. I am going to start immediately. You can follow as soon you are ready. I'll meet you at Wilson's drug store at noon."

He arose and ordered his horse saddled at once, and before half an hour had pa.s.sed he was well started on his journey.

It was fully an hour later before the others were ready to start in the large touring car, and by that time Mr. Willing was already in town.

Just as the girls were stepping into the car the distant yard gate opened, and the figure of a little boy came into sight.

Mabel was the first to catch sight of him.

"Who is that?" she asked. "At first I thought it was Jimmy."

"We'll wait and see what he wants," Shirley decided.

The youngster came up to them a few moments later.

"What is it, little boy?" asked Mabel.

"I got a note for Mr. Willing," came the reply.

"Who from?"

"I dunno. A fellow threw it out the winder to me."

"A message from Jimmy," exclaimed Shirley, as she jumped from the car.

"Give it to me," she commanded.

But the boy held back.

"It's for Mr. Willing," he protested.

"I am Mr. Willing's daughter," said Shirley. "Come, give me the note."

She took it from his hand, and opened it eagerly.

"Who's it from, Shirley?" asked Mabel. "Is it from Jimmy?"

"Yes," replied Shirley quietly. "Listen." She read:

"Held prisoner by Jones. Am going to be taken to some house on creek and guarded till after race. Don't know where.

"JIMMY."

"I knew it," said Mabel. "I was sure Jimmy was in trouble of some kind."

"But how are we to find the house?" asked Shirley.

"I don't know," replied Mabel.

"We'll have to tackle them all, that's all there is about that," said Leonard decidedly. "And the sooner we start the better, if you ask me."

"Let's hurry, then," said Shirley anxiously.

"Wait a moment," said Mabel. "Are you going to let the little boy walk back to town?"

"Of course not," replied Shirley. "But I was so excited I forgot all about him. Jump in, little boy."

The boy needed no second bidding, and soon the machine was speeding toward the pike.

"Can you take us to the place where the note was dropped?" asked Shirley.

"Yes'm," was the reply.

True to his word, the little fellow directed the car to the exact spot where he had picked up the note.

"You wait here," said young Wolfe, alighting, "and I'll run up and interview this fellow Jones, if he's in."

"I'll go too," said Shirley.

"So will I," declared Mabel.

Young Wolfe hesitated.

"You know what your father said."

"Never mind," said Shirley. "Surely there is no danger."

The two girls followed Leonard into the place. Leonard knocked on several doors before he received an answer, but an old woman finally directed him to the room occupied by Jones and d.i.c.k.

Leonard rapped loudly on the door. A moment later the door swung inward, and Jones poked his head out.

"What do you want?" he demanded.

"I want to see you," said Leonard briefly, and put his weight against the door, as Jones tried to close it.