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stagecoach.” She handed the key to Bess.
    “I don’t like this arrangement,” Bess said, “but I’ll do it. And please be careful!”
    “We’ll stay among the trees alongside the bridle trail just to make you happy,” George promised her cousin.
    Bess went off, running at top speed. Nancy and George carefully descended the wooded hillside. On the way they neither saw nor heard anyone.
    “I’d certainly like to get a close look at the old stagecoach,” George whispered. “Do you think we dare?”
    Nancy suggested that they wait a few minutes. Then, if they saw no sign of anyone, they would go into the open and find out what they could about the overturned vehicle. Ten minutes went by. Complete silence. Nancy signaled to George that they would proceed.
    Just as the two girls walked up to the old stagecoach, a man’s deep voice commanded harshly, “Stand where you are!”

CHAPTER VI
    Police Assistance
    THEIR hearts pounding, Nancy and George stood stock-still. Though both had been startled by the command from the unseen speaker, the girls tried not to show any fear.
    “Who are you?” Nancy asked her hidden opponent. The man did not reply to her question. Instead, he ordered the girls to retrace their steps.
    “Why?” Nancy countered, trying to stall for time until Bess could bring the police to the spot.
    “Do as I say!” the stranger growled.
    By this time Nancy and George had concluded that the man did not intend to reveal his whereabouts and harm them. Regaining their courage, the girls decided to stay as long as possible.
    “We saw this old stagecoach from the top of the cliff,” George spoke up. “We’d like to look at it.”
    “You leave the old thing alone!” the stranger directed.
    “We’re not going to harm it,” Nancy argued. “Does it belong to you?”
    All this time she had been listening intently, trying to find out where the speaker was located. As he called back, she decided the man was hiding in a huge maple tree not far away. She concentrated on the spot.
    “That’s none of your business,” the stranger returned. “Now get out of here!”
    Nancy detected a slight movement among the leaves on one of the stout limbs. In a shaft of sunlight she saw a man’s hand and forearm. There was a slantwise scar across the wrist!
    “One of the hijackers!” Nancy thought. “His blond cohort is probably with him. I guess George and I had better leave and go to meet the police.”
    Aloud she said, “Sorry to have bothered you. We’ll go now.”
    George was surprised, but did not question Nancy’s decision. Together the two girls scrambled up the hillside among the trees. When they were out of earshot of the man, Nancy quickly told George what she had seen.
    “Hypers!” George exclaimed, using her favorite expression. “We found the hijackers! I hope they won’t leave before we can have them arrested!”
    The thought spurred the girls on and soon they reached the top of the cliff. They ran full speed along the bridle path toward the main road. Halfway there they met Bess and officers Gavin and Starr racing down the road. Quickly Nancy told her story and the whole group rushed back, so that the troopers might capture the hijackers.
    As they neared the cliff, Officer Starr said he thought it best if the girls did not go down the bridle path, since the men below might expect a second visit from that direction and be warned away. “We’ll take the other side right through the forest,” he said. “And you girls, please keep in the rear.” He turned to Nancy. “Would you act as lookout? Stay near the trees at the edge of the ravine. If you see anything unusual, notify us by rolling a stone in our direction.”
    Nancy nodded and went to the left of the group. Halfway down the slope, she suddenly spotted the two hijackers coming from hiding. One carried a hatchet, the other a large saw. Instantly they began to hack at the old stagecoach!
    Seeing this, Nancy quickly sent a small stone