“Please don’t speak of it,” he said in a mild voice. “I am here for a certain purpose. Have you seen an old man in these woods? Rather a strange character.”
“Something like yourself,” said Ned, but in the faintest whisper.
“Yes, we did,” replied Frank, who seemed somewhat excited over the sight of the man with the gilt crown. “He said you would know he was on guard. He also—”
“Yes, I know all about it,” was the quick answer. “It’s very unfortunate. I beg of you not to mention it to any one. I may rely upon you?”
“You may,” said Frank so earnestly that his chums wondered whether he knew more about the queer happenings than they did. “We will say nothing.”
“It will all come out right in the end,” went on the man with the crown. “Which way was he going?”
“He seemed headed in this direction,” replied Fenn.
“Then he will arrive in time for the audience,” said the King of Paprica. “I must bid you farewell now,” and with that he went into the hut and closed the door after him.
The boys stood for a few seconds gazing at the silent cabin with it’s odd inscription, and then Bart exclaimed: