Rough and ready, yet sufficiently effective, was the dish-washing, and then came a comfortable evening, sitting before the crackling blaze on the hearth, while they talked over the experiences of the closing day.
They were all rather sleepy, from the cold wind they had faced on the sled ride, and soon were ready to turn in. Just before banking the fire for the night, Tom paused, and stood in a listening attitude near one of the windows.
“What’s the matter?” asked Jack.
“I thought I heard something,” was the reply.
“He’s worried about the man whose footprints Sam saw in the snow,” said George.
“Or the man with the ‘chawed’ ear,” added Bert.
“No, it was the wind, I guess,” Tom spoke. “But say, fellows, what do you think Skeel is doing up here?”
“Is he here?” questioned Jack.
“Well, that ‘chawed’ ear makes it sound so.”