Frank did not say so, but he kept thinking that so many queer things which Sammy had discovered had turned out to be only commonplace after all, that now he feared this one would, also. Still he had to admit that the finding of the secret room was rather strange.
"There's the cabin!" exclaimed Sammy, as they came in sight of it.
"Yes, and there's Maybe, the dog, but I don't see any signs of Mr. Jessup," spoke Bob.
"I guess he's inside, getting supper," suggested Frank. "I hope he is—I'm as hungry as one of the bears that used to live on Pine Island."
"So am I," admitted Bob. "I'd like some nice hot pancakes, the kind Mr. Jessup makes, and some of his baked potatoes."
"Don't talk about it—I'm so hungry!" laughed Frank.
They kept on toward the cabin. Maybe rushed out to meet them, barking and wagging his tail, to show how glad he was to see them. But Mr. Jessup did not appear.
Somehow a sense of fear came over the boys. They did not know why, but the strange experience they had just gone through had made them nervous, and not seeing Mr. Jessup at once, added to their fears.
"I wonder where he can be?" asked Sammy, looking around the cabin. There was no sign of their friend.