They waited for a while which seemed interminably long to Ned, but which was not more than a quarter of an hour, and then he heard a slight movement among the trees somewhat to their left.

He called Obed's attention to it and the man nodded: "I hear it, too," he whispered.

"Those investigators are cautious, but they'll have to come up in front before they can get at us, and then we can get at them, too.

We'll just be patient." Ned was at least quiet and contained, although it was impossible to be patient.

They heard the rustling at intervals on their right, then it changed to their front, and he saw a black head, covered with a sombrero, peep from behind a tree.