"Well, we'd better get back to the cabin and prepare to look into this thing," suggested the hunter. "I want to think it over a bit. By the way, was there any sign of anybody having been in that room lately?"
"You couldn't tell—the bed looked as if it had been slept in," said Bob. "But there must have been someone hiding there, or else how could he have shot at us?"
Mr. Jessup shook his head.
"I'll admit it's a puzzle, so far," he said. "But after I see it I may be able to explain it all. Come along."
They headed back for the cabin, the boys talking on the way of the many things that had happened since coming to Pine Island. Mr. Jessup said he had heard no special news in Fairview. He had not sent any word to the parents of the three chums, fearing they would worry about the boys staying alone all night.
"And it turned out better that I did not," he said.
They were nearing the cabin of Camp Mystery, and Mr. Jessup was pointing out to the boys a trail that led from his place to the cabin of the hermit.
"But I wouldn't advise you to follow that trail after dark, unless you know it pretty well," he said.
"Why not?" asked Bob, always looking for reasons.
"Because that bog, that I told you about, is on both sides of the trail at certain places, and it's dangerous. I often wonder why old Mr. Addison built his cabin so near the bog. It's true there are some good springs of water near it, but I'd rather be on higher ground, and carry my water a way. So don't travel that trail except in daylight, boys."