"We were just talking," replied Frank evasively.
"Well, don't talk to him again. I don't want him mixing up with all the riff-raff of the country and talking to every Tom, Dick and Harry that comes around. I'll thank you to stay away from here after this."
Whereupon Uncle Dock, still grumbling indignantly, went stamping up the slope again toward the mill. The Hardy boys, not a bit alarmed by the outburst, but feeling that they had gained valuable information that day, began to move slowly down the river bank away from the vicinity of the old mill.
CHAPTER XVIII
Suspicions
"What do you think, Joe?" asked Frank, as they were speeding back to Bayport on their motorcycles.
"I don't think Uncle Dock is a scientist any more than I am."
"That's my opinion, too. Why should they have so much secrecy about a new kind of breakfast food? Why won't they even let Lester into the workroom with them?"
"Something fishy about it. And it's plain by now that Uncle Dock doesn't like strangers around the place."
"That poor kid must lead a lonely life with that gang. It's a wonder he doesn't run away from them."