"He doesn't know what to do. He's at a complete standstill."
"Won't the railroad company lease the land?" questioned Dave.
"No. They told dad that they wanted to buy and build. They prefer his land to any other in East Haven, but at the same time, if they can't get his property, they are going to look elsewhere."
"Twenty or thirty thousand dollars is a heap of money to let slip through one's fingers," was Shadow's comment. "It's a shame you can't find out where your uncle is, or what has become of him."
"Why not advertise again?" suggested Dave. "If your uncle is still alive he must read some newspapers, and he might possibly see the notice."
"Father thinks something of doing that, Dave, but it looks like rather a hopeless case," returned Phil Lawrence. He arose from the camp-chair on which he had been sitting, and stretched himself. "But come on, fellows," he continued. "There is no use of your worrying over our troubles. We came on this little trip to enjoy ourselves, and I want all of you to have the best time possible."
"And we certainly have had a good time!" cried Dave. "Just as good a time as we had out in Yellowstone Park."
"That is, Dave, considering the girls are not along," remarked Ben, with a wink at the others.
"Well, of course that makes some difference, Ben," returned Dave, his face flushing a trifle.
"Sure it does! A whole lot of difference!" declared Roger. "Just the same, we are having a dandy time, Phil," he added hastily. "The first outing of the Oak Hall Club is a big success."