"We'll take the right," decided Jack. "I'm satisfied that those fellows are up to no good. You know what Tony Duval said when they asked him to do something."
Not far from the barn was a woodshed, and here the cadets procured an axe and a hammer. With these implements they managed to pry open one of the packing cases. Inside was what looked to be electrical machinery, but just what it was they could not make out.
"Looks like that telephone or telegraph line all right enough," remarked Randy. "But what are those fellows going to do with any such line as that away up here?"
"It's a riddle, ain't it?" remarked Jed Wallop. "Jest the same, that stuff looks mighty suspicious to me."
They continued their investigation, and behind the packing cases found some machinery. All of it was new and strange to them.
"If they've got so much queer stuff out here in the barn, how much more do you suppose they've got in the house?" questioned Fred.
"If I was sure no one was at home I'd be strongly tempted to find a way inside and take a look around," said Jack.
"Come ahead and do it!" burst out Randy. "I don't believe there's a soul around."
"I'll tell you what I'll do," said Jack finally. "You keep out of sight, and I'll go out on the road and walk toward the house and knock on the door. Then, if anybody comes, I'll say that I'm out hunting and would like to buy a bit to eat. They can't refuse me a bite, and that will give me a little chance to look around while I'm inside."
"I don't think you ought to go alone," said Gif. "They know there are a bunch of us at the Lodge and they would be rather suspicious if you were by yourself. Why not let me go with you?"