midday
` Foller ` im up , ' said Chippy shortly . ` Right , ' said Dick , ` we 'll see this out ; ' and the scouts began once more to work along the trail . For more than half a mile they followed quite easily . There were many bare patches among the grass , and the heavy shower which had fallen at midday proved a good friend to them , the damp soil giving many excellent impressions of the heavy steps of the man whom they pursued . The boys had now gained a very lonely part of the heath , for the fugitive appeared to be making for the most secluded corner of the vast expanse . They had been steadily working away from the part where the patrols had been searching , and the distance between them and the rendezvous at the railway-station increased with every stride . Chippy was leading , and Dick was guarding the rear .