As soon as the operator went into the office, Frank sent this message to Brownville, Me.:
“Mr. Bruce Browning: Traced Dugan to Vanceborough. Shall try to recover rifle. Party come on to Mattawamkeag, and wait for me there.
“Frank Merriwell.
Then he inquired the way to the hotel.
Frank was tired. By sharp detective work, he had discovered that Dugan had hired a team at Henderson, the nearest town to Brownville, the very night the rifle was stolen, and was driven to Lake View. The following morning Frank learned that the thief belonged over around Grand Lake, on the New Brunswick line. Then it came about that Merry had traced his man to Vanceborough. Advices received by him at Mattawamkeag from an officer in Vanceborough stated that Enos had arrived there and left for parts unknown on the lake steamer.
At the hotel Merry registered and asked when dinner would be ready. Finding he had almost an hour to wait, he inquired for the officer from whom he had obtained information concerning Dugan.
In a little while the officer appeared at the hotel, accompanied by the boy who had been sent for him.
A brief talk with this man convinced Frank that Dugan had his rifle beyond doubt, although the thief was carrying it wrapped in a blanket.
“Dugan lives up around Forest City somewhere,” said the officer. “He is a rough fellow, and has a bad reputation. Although nothing has ever been proved against him, it is said he is a smuggler. I don’t know that anyone around here is sure just where he does live, but I’ve heard he has a handsome daughter who is often seen in Forest City.”