"Most remarkable, most remarkable," muttered the professor, taking keen sidelong glances at Captain McKay.
"You are Butler, aren't you?" called the captain.
"Yes, sir," answered Tad, glancing back.
"I knew you the instant I set eyes on you. You're a sharp young man.
You discovered me before I got into your camp."
"Discovered you?" exclaimed the professor.
"Yes. He heard me. I stepped on a stick that bent down under my foot. The stick didn't snap and how that young scout ever caught the faint sound is more than I can explain."
"So, that was what you were looking at?" laughed Ned.
"Tad's got ears in the back of his head," added Stacy.
"I observe that all of you have pretty keen senses," smiled the Ranger captain. "Something smells good."
"It's the coffee that Tad's making for you," answered the fat boy solemnly. "How's the going?"