“Lost?” repeated Mr. Hayward. “How? Where?”
Frank briefly related what had happened since they had started from Darewell on the cruise to Duluth.
“Well I never!” exclaimed Robert Hayward. “That’s a great story! And the last trace you have of him is down that hole?”
“The very last,” answered Ned, looking at Ruth, and not blaming Fenn for thinking she was pretty.
“This must be looked into,” declared Mr. Hayward. “Lucky I happened to be out here with my daughter. You see I live several miles from here, but to-day, Ruth and I decided to take a little trip. I—I wanted to look at some land I—some property I am interested in out here. I was on my way to it when I saw you boys.”
The man seemed to have a curious hesitation in his manner and his words, and Ruth, too, appeared under some strain. But the boys were too anxious about their comrade to pay much attention to this.
“Come on!” suddenly called Mr. Hayward.
“Where are you going, father?” asked Ruth.
“I’m going to find Fenn Masterson. I think I have a clue that will help us,” and he strode forward, followed by his daughter and the wondering boys.