presently; for he had dropped behind his co

g Mr. Clausin," returned the

robbed the feed store. And now he is following Joe's father home! Oh! Paul, do you thi

dubiously; "but we can't stay

ng some of the fellows around? You know how to bark like a fox better than any other scout in the troop.

ul hes

of danger don't you expect this fellow would disappear

because you've got something else on tap that i

ellow. Walk fast, because we ought to pass him

do you?" asked his chum, thrilled by the

to say or do anything when we hurry pa

he arm of his mate; "you expect to warn Mr. Clausin!

e that indicated his right to the exalted office of assistant scoutmaster was fastened

our motto is always 'be prepared'? But

d, for they had been rapidly overtaking the

t the sound of their footsteps, and was interested. Paul noticed, however,

ld shield his face. He gave no sign that he felt any annoyance, and Paul could hear his c

istance ahead, and they hurried fa

d, as, hearing the patter of step

out of breath from his exertions, "we wanted to

tleman, showing signs of intere

n who seems to be a stranger in town! After what happened last night we thought yo

owing any alarm, such as they expected, seemed amused. He even chuckle

going to turn out to be a flash in the pan. Because, you see, my lads, I just said good-night to that same stranger at the door of my place of busine

of yours, sir? How silly we have been! We thought we might be doin

times obliged. Besides, you did me a great favor last night, one I'm not likely to forget. I want you to meet

his voice h

step this w

that the mysterious gentleman must have partly guessed the missio

outwitted by a couple of lads. But then even lawyers will have to look to their laurels when they run up against boys who

s his friend, Jack Stormways, of whom I was

ld over this scouting business as you fellows up here seem to be. And my friend Clausin here, has been telling me a few interesting things in connection wi

ection with such a handsome compliment; but they r

about those papers which are so strangely missing. You see, I have a pretty good idea who may have taken them, and their loss complicates matters very much. So I

e to give their late owner so much distress of mind. And besides, he was puzzled to understand just how Mr. Clausin hope

They came back to him when he woke up in the middle of the night, and lay there in his own snug little room at home, where he was su

ntents of the little tin box. Paul disliked very much to give anything up; but it was onl

periodical business trips, much of the duty of preparin

bubbling with enthusiasm in connection with the contemplated outing. Nothing l

nd take charge. But it would be upon Paul to make all necessary preparations, secure the supp

ould during his vacations away from town. He was a good swimmer, knew all about the best way to revive a person who had been in the water

ents were worried about letting their boys go so far away; in fact three were sent to visit distant relatives just to keep them from temptation; but this move made

eparture of the troop, Paul, on "counting noses," found that he mi

m went over the roster on that preceding night, checking off a

better if I knew what we were going to buck against

he been granted that privilege Paul might have been