Barrows appeared when they were half way through breakfast, and the chums at once began to question him regarding the capture of the unknown man and what he might have wanted there.
“Perhaps he is the one who has been causing a lot of trouble around here,” said Barrows. “I haven’t seen him yet. Couple of the men found him snooping around the office last night, and after locking him up, woke me up and told me about him. After I eat I am going to question him, and if you want to get a little later start on your fishing trip, you can come and take a look at him.”
This was exactly what the boys wanted, and they thanked Barrows for the invitation. They made a hurried meal, and then after Barrows had posted the notices for the section bosses for the day, they went to the storehouse, which was the most solid looking building in the camp, being built of great logs with a thick double hasp and padlocks on the door. Inside were kept the cooking supplies for the camp.
The manager produced a key, and throwing open the door, called to the prisoner to come out.
The three chums pressed forward eagerly to see if they were right in their guess that LeBlanc or his evil associate had been captured.
What they did finally see nearly knocked them off their feet. There was a shuffling sound as of some one getting up, and then through the door into the sunlight, walked The Hermit!
CHAPTER X
THE FIRST HIKE
It was nearly a minute before the boys could find their tongues. The hermit stood there blinking in the sunlight, for it had been pitch black inside of the storehouse.
Finally Garry shouted:
“Hello, Hermit. Where did you come from?”