“Perhaps, but what would Trask be doing at the old mill?”
“I don’t know. He may be trying to keep others from going there.”
“But why? An old, tumble-down mill like that is of no account. I doubt if there is anything about the place worth stealing. A thief couldn’t take the ground, and that is all there is of value.”
“Well, we’ll learn what this Bert Field has to say,” said Andy.
“Wish we could all meet him,” came from Dale, who was now as much interested in the mystery as anybody.
“Perhaps we can,” said Pepper. “Anyway, I can ask him about it.”
Promptly at the time appointed, Andy and Pepper went off to meet Bert Field. They had mentioned an old tree with a broken limb, and they found the strange boy there, pacing the ground nervously. He gave a start when Andy called to him, but when he recognized them he called up a faint smile.
“He is as nervous as a cat,” whispered Andy.
“Perhaps he has good cause to be,” was Pepper’s answer.
As soon as the cadets reached Bert Field, they mentioned Jack and Dale and the strange boy said they might be summoned if desired. Andy let out a shrill whistle, which Dale answered, and soon the latter and the young major appeared, and the whole crowd walked along the shore road and sat down on a grassy bank in the starlight.