"Hm-m-m!" mused the fat boy, screwing up his features and regarding Tad narrowly. "How did you know we were in this part of the country?"
"Everybody in New England knows that," laughed Tad.
"Yes, they know Chunky is here," agreed Ned.
"It strikes me that there is a gentleman of color in the woodpile," observed Stacy. "In fact, I might say there are several of them hidden in the stove wood."
"Yes, I reckon you're right. And you didn't know a thing about it?" chuckled Butler.
Stacy shook his head.
"But we may have had our suspicions—our suspicions, you understand?" said the fat boy. "Still, there are several things that need explanation."
"Professor, you knew about this all the time, didn't you?" demanded Ned.
The Professor stroked his beard.
"I see no harm in saying that I did."