He has sloped away.

Here's the track.
Which way did he and the fellows go ?" "Away from Gridley," declared Darrin, sagely.

"Otherwise, Mr.
Dodge would have been seen by some one who would remember him." "We'll go up along the track, then." This they did, but the roadbed was hard.

Besides, anyone walking on the ties would leave no trail.

It was slow work, holding the lantern close to the ground and scanning every step, besides swinging the lantern out to light up either side of their course.