"But you may bet your last dollar the man in black knows."
"I don't see how that is going to do me any good.
"It will do him some good, if he gets hold of this ring."
"Well, I shall take care that he does not get hold of it."
The map—if it were a map—on the stone served to more fully arouse the curiosity of the boys, without in any way satisfying them concerning the mystery of the ring.
Frank became so absorbed in trying to discover the true meaning of the map and in getting some light on the mystery that he began to neglect his studies. This, however, was quickly noted by Hodge, who said:
"Be careful, old man; don't let that ring get into your head so that you will lose your chance of standing well up in your class. You are all right in drill work, and you should be appointed a corporal next month."
"Hang the old ring!" exclaimed Frank, petulantly. "I never had anything cause me so much bother before. Whenever I try to study I fall to thinking of it, and I dream of it every night."
Two days passed, and nothing more was seen of the man in black during that time, which led Bart to believe that the mysterious individual had left the vicinity.
"He must have fancied that you would have him arrested for attacking you on the road," said Hodge. "You are not likely to see him again very soon."