"Anything the matter, Frank?"
"No. What makes you ask me that?"
"Why I thought you looked worried over something."
"No, I'm all right," replied Frank, with forced heartiness. After that he tried to join in the talk and fun, but it was too obviously an effort to deceive Ned.
"Something's wrong with Frank," Ned decided in his own mind. "We've got to find out what it is in spite of him, and help him. I must speak to Bart and Fenn as soon as I have the chance."
It was not until all the other boys, including Frank, had left the barn and gone home, late that night, that Ned found the opportunity he wanted. Then he told his two chums of what he had heard at the new house.
"What do you make of it?" asked Bart.
"I'll admit I'm suspicious," said Ned. "It looks as though Frank was mixed up in something."
"Do you mean something bad?" asked Bart.
"No, I don't know's I'd call it that. But something suspicious, anyhow. You remember that letter from Wright & Johnson?"