ntists were deep in a discussion of various technical matters, whic

em?" inquired Ja

cover something. If we could once get on the trail of the man who wrote the note, I th

r plans," and he waved his hand toward the scien

long a quiet country road, "I think our best plan will be to find Dick Johnson, and as

or?" as

can give us a description of the man, or tell from what di

re he disappeared to, or, rather, in near

then, let's

ile, Dick Johnson replied that, as he had asserte

"but he kept his hat pulled down over his eyes, so I couldn't

ou meet him?

where you turn down to go to the woollen mill, and, as

said you did,"

the note, and told me where to take it,

g queer about the man, and we want t

doing when you saw

ort of looking t

d Jack. "Was he anywhere near the b

t say. Maybe he

chum, to warn him not to go too much into details with Dick, for they

you any more," admi

see that man again, and he gives you a note for us, just keep your eye o

omised Dick, his eyes shining a

n by the white bridge and make some inquiries of people living in that vicinity. They m

d Mark, and they w

nd had made several inquiries, but had met with no suc

't inquired of yet," said M

's t

ack on the edge of the creek. You kno

'd know anything. If he did, he's

ng tobacco. It's worth trying, anyhow. Bascomb goes around a

ahead; we'

him a quarter, Bascomb consented to answer a few questions. The boys told him about looking for a

t him a couple of days back, an' I think he's still hanging around. Fust I thought he was after some of

he?" asked

creek, sort of ab

or whether he is staying in this

k I do," repli

cried Jac

homestead, down by the bend of the

Mark. "We used to go in sw

past, with a lot of rats I'd jest taken out of my traps, I see a light in the old house. Thinks I, to myself, that there's more tramps snoozin' in there, and I didn't rec

impatiently, for the old

. "I'm sure of it, an' he's hangin' out in the old Preakne

ome on, Mark. I think we'