“How did you know?”
“The button under the lapel of your coat shows when you are climbing,” Ned replied. “Why do you try to hide it?”
“I put it there so it wouldn’t get lost,” was the hesitating answer.
“What time did you reach our camp last night?” was Ned’s next question.
“A little after twelve,” was the reply. “It’s a wonder you fellows wouldn’t keep some one on watch. The bears’ll eat you up some night!”
“Why did you come to the camp at all?”
“Well, I was wandering over the mountains when you boys came in late yesterday afternoon, and I thought I would go over and have a visit with you. After I got to your camp I thought perhaps you wouldn’t like to be routed out of bed, so I just helped myself to a lunch and came away. Say, but I was good and hungry!”
“What are you doing in the mountains?” asked Ned.
“I came in with hunters from New York,” was the answer.
“So you live in New York city, do you?”