"You are not alone," said Sam.
"Well, I know best," was the hesitating answer. "If I was sure you wouldn't hurt me I'd let you in."
"We will not harm you in the least," answered Dick.
There was a moving around in the cabin and what seemed to be the dropping of a door. Then old Derringham came forward again.
"You are sure you won't rob me if I open the door?" he asked.
"We mean you no harm—if you will do what is right," said Tom.
Then the door was thrown open and the Rover boys and Jack Ness were confronted by a man at least seventy years of age. He had snow-white hair and a snowy beard that reached to his waist.
The boys and the hired man went hastily into the cabin and looked around. Nobody but Derringham was in sight. Dick looked at the floor under the table and saw something which looked like a trap door.
"He must have gone into the cellar," said he to the others, and made a movement forward.
"Stop, do not touch that table!" cried the old man, in alarm.