It was indeed Kiddy Leech who had applied for assistance at the home of Aaron Masterson. The tramp had taken it for granted that Snap and Shep had started for the camp on Firefly Lake and would make no further effort to bring him to justice.
"What nerve!" whispered Shep. "What shall we do?"
"Let's capture him. I'll go outside, and you can remain in here."
So speaking, Snap caught up his shotgun, which stood near the kitchen door, and slipped out of the entrance to the woodshed. From there he ran around the corner of the house, coming up behind Kiddy Leech.
"Out o' work, eh?" Aaron Masterson was saying. "Wot's your trade?"
"I'm an electrical worker," answered the tramp. "The factory I worked in shut down, and I can't get a thing to do anywhere."
"Humph! Well, I reckon we can give you a meal," answered the farmer.
"Come in."
"Thank you very much," said the tramp, and followed through the doorway. Then Aaron Masterson noticed Snap with the shotgun.
"Hullo, how did you git out there?" he cried.
Kiddy Leech turned swiftly and he started on beholding the young hunter.