"Gee, but we're in a pickle!" commented Fred, dismally.
"Yes. And the worst of it is, I don't know how we are going to clear ourselves," answered his cousin. "As near as I can learn, those cows were shot while you and I were off by ourselves in the woods. The hired man says the other man who works on the place saw two cadets disappearing between the trees."
"Who can those fellows be, Jack?"
"Don't ask me! Probably two of our fellows who have some grudge against Lacy."
This talk was carried on in an undertone, so that neither the old farmer nor his hired man could understand what was said.
"You needn't plan no trick to escape," warned Elias Lacy, raising his shotgun slightly.
"Mr. Lacy, what did you do with the two cows that were shot?" asked Jack, suddenly.
"I left 'em out in the paster, right where they fell," returned the old farmer. "I ain't a-goin' to tech 'em till the authorities have looked 'em over."
"Were they killed with bird shot or with rifle bullets?"
"Bird shot—same as you've been a-usin' in them shotguns of yourn."