"No luck so far, but we live in hopes of finding our man sooner or later. We mean to keep an eye on those old ruins until something turns up. Room for two at your fire to-night, boys?" said the sheriff as he came up.
Of course they greeted him warmly. Mr. Dodd was a man whom the boys all liked, because he always felt a sympathetic interest in their sports and games, never forgetting, as some men do, that he was once a boy himself.
Adolphus, spurred on by the compliment of the noon meal, excelled himself in the effort to please. The result was a b.u.mper spread, which called forth much praise all around.
They also spent a very pleasant evening, chatting on various subjects.
Mr. Dodd was plainly not worrying. He cast frequent glances across the lake, as if half expecting to see some sort of signal from that quarter, but none came.
Nor was there any alarm during the night. In fact, with two officers of the law in their midst the boys did not even bother keeping watch.
Another morning found them again gathered around the board, discussing heaping piles of the most delicious flapjacks ever eaten in any camp. It was simply astonishing how many each of those hungry boys put away; and as for the two guests, they fairly showered the cook with compliments, until he seemed to be shaking with good-humor.
"Now we must say good-by for a while, boys. It was a bully time we had with you. Perhaps we may look in again some day. Be good to yourselves."
With which the worthy sheriff stalked away.
An hour later, Frank, finding that the boys seemed to stick to the camp as if expecting him to suggest something, called them together.
"What do you say, fellows, that we take the canoes and paddle across the lake to where he said the ruins of the old Fletcher home lie?"
"Hear! hear! That just suits my blood!" declared Bluff.
"And I"m in the racket, you understand," observed Jerry, picking up his gun.
"Please don"t think of leaving me behind. Now the chances are there will be something worth while to snap off over there, so if none of you object I"m going to carry my camera along."
Of course this was from Will, and as there were no protests, he did it, too.
Adolphus and Jed were left in charge of the camp. With the sheriff"s posse roaming the neighborhood, there did not seem to be any likelihood of unwelcome visitors while they were away. Besides, Bluff had kindly consented to leave his gun in his tent, and Jed knew how to fire the same. Three shots in rapid order would bring the quartet back in double-quick time.
Landing on the other side, they made their way up the rise. The place was overgrown with briars and stubborn thickets, but they knew it had once been cleared, so they were not long in discovering the ruins of the house.
Some vandal had fired it, perhaps long after it had been abandoned as a place of residence, so that with the foundations only charred remnants of the building were to be seen.
Though the boys looked around eagerly, expecting to see some sign of the sheriff or his men, they failed to detect anything to indicate the presence of others.
"Looks pretty dismal around here, and it is hard to believe that once, many years ago, it had a busy family working to clear off the land and plant it," remarked Frank, who had a little of the romantic mixed with his practical ideas.
"Stand still, fellows. I"ve got you grouped nicely, now. Look pleasant, and as if you didn"t know you were being snapped. There you are, with the ruins as a background. Thank you."
"Frank, there"s some one watching us from the bushes yonder," whispered Bluff.
"You"re right, and I think I can guess. Jerry, you know! Call him over here. I"ve an idea he wants to speak to us, and yet seems afraid, for some reason. Perhaps he knows the sheriff is around somewhere," said Frank.
Upon which Jerry took a few steps forward, and waving his hand, called out:
"Andy! No use hiding; we see you! Come here!"
CHAPTER XXIII
DOCTOR WILL TO THE FRONT
There was a little hesitation.
Then the figure in the bushes came rapidly toward them. It was Andy Lasher, just as they had guessed. He looked dreadfully worried, as though he found himself up against a problem that overtaxed his abilities; for Andy was only a boy, though for a long time he had been the acknowledged bully of Centerville.
"Jerry, I"m glad to see you, sure I am," he said awkwardly as he came up.
Jerry noticed, first of all, that Andy held out his hand, as if he wanted to shake, something he seldom did; and then, again, that he was trembling all over.
"The fellow has had a bad shock of some kind," remarked Frank in a low tone, as his eye took in these facts, so significant in themselves, and especially when one remembered just why the sheriff was in that vicinity.
"What"s the matter, Andy?" asked Jerry soothingly.
"Ain"t one o" you fellers in the doctor line?" demanded the other hoa.r.s.ely.
"Well, Will, here, knows a good deal about medicine and such things. You see his dad was an M.D. before he died, which means a medical doctor.
But if you"re sick better come over to our camp and let him fix up something for you," said Jerry.
""Tain"t me," replied Andy desperately, and looking quickly around him as if he feared listening ears might catch his words.
"Then who?"
"They"s a feller near by who had a bad tumble. I"m afraid he"s got a broken leg. If your friend could only see him, and do somethin" for him.
He"s groanin" with pain, leastways as much as he dares. Will you bring him, Jerry?"
"Of course; but why not let the others go along, Andy? We might want to lift your--a--friend, you know, and four would be better than two.
Besides, you can trust us not to say one word."
Andy started violently and stared at Jerry.
"Then--you know?" he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, in some confusion.
"Yes, all about it; and we feel sorry for you, too. Come! If he is suffering, something must be done, or he may die. Don"t hesitate any longer, but take us to where he is hiding. I"m sure my pard can do something to help him," said Jerry.
The other"s indecision came to an end.
"I will, then, by gum! Come on!" he exclaimed between his set teeth.
Frank, looking around, thought that he had just the faintest glimpse of something moving amid the neighboring bushes; but then it might have been a prowling chipmunk or an inquisitive racc.o.o.n.
He fell in line, and trailed after the others, wondering just how the affair was going to end. Evidently, Andy"s father, in wandering about the rough region after dark, had slipped once too often on the rocks, and come to serious harm.
The boy led them past the ruins, and up the side of a steep ascent.
Several times he stopped and looked sharply down and around, as though suspicious of the strange stillness that had fallen upon all Nature.