"Let us go to the nearest farmhouse and tell the folks," suggested Andy.
He hardly uttered the words when a loud ring at the front door of the mansion made every cadet jump.
"There is somebody now!" cried Fred.
"I'll see who it is," said Pepper, and went off, followed by Jack.
When they opened the door they found themselves confronted by a farmer named Fasick, who lived in that vicinity.
"Hello!" cried the farmer, on noticing the uniforms the boys wore. "What are you cadets doing here?"
"Who are you?" questioned Jack.
"I'm Isaac Fasick, and I own the farm down the road a spell. I saw the lights here, and as Mr. Ford asked me to keep an eye on his property I made up my mind I'd come over and see what it meant. Is he here on a visit?"
"Not that we know of, Mr. Fasick," answered Jack. "Come in out of the cold, and we'll tell you something."
The burly farmer entered, and the cadets quickly related what had occurred. When Mr. Fasick saw the shattered safe he was all but stunned.