"In the morning we will take him to town. Shall we get some supper now?"
"Yes. I will think over your proposal in the meantime. Stacy, you might gather some more wood for the fire. Ahem! This has been a most remarkable proceeding all the way through."
"You would have thought so if that fellow had jumped on you as he did on me," growled Ned Rector. "I thought the mountain had fallen down on me. He is bad medicine."
Tad by this time was getting out the things for supper. They were late with this meal owing to circumstances over which they had not had full control, though matters were now pretty well in the hands of the Pony Rider Boys.
"You had better tell us who and what you are. You have heard what has been said here, my man," said the professor returning to the prisoner.
"I reckon I've heard enough. I reckon, too, that you've made a mistake. I ain't what you think. I'll tell you, now that the fresh young feller isn't listening."
"Do so," urged Professor Zepplin, preparing to listen.
"Lean over so the others won't hear."
"Surely."
"You're a right smart old party and I don't mind talking to you, for you've got right smart sense and you'll understand what I'm getting at."