"There's Ted and his squad; we happen to know they're roaming around these regions somewhere," suggested Jack, quickly.
"That's true," said Paul, thoughtfully; "and it may be one of that crowd; but somehow I doubt it. In the first place I don't believe they were smart enough to fetch even a lantern along. You know they brag about how they can go into the woods with only a hatchet and a few cooking
things, and enjoy life. But we didn't come up here to endure things."
"Not much," declared Jack; "we want all the comforts of a well managed camp. And in the line of fun we've got a string of things laid out that will keep us doing stunts every hour of the time. But if not Ted's toadies, then who could be wandering about up there? Can you give a guess, Paul?"
Paul could; but then he debated with himself whether he ought to take Jack fully into his confidence. He decided that as they had been chums so long, and shared each other's confidences, he ought to speak. Besides, Joe had shown no intention of confiding anything in him.
So in low tones he told about the queer actions of Joe Clausin when that man in the vehicle had gone by; and the few words he had heard the boy scout mutter. After that he related the incident of his interview with Joe.
"Say, that is mighty funny," observed Jack, after he had listened to the whole story.
"Don't you think the same as I do, and that Joe recognized that man?"
"It looks that way to me. And he seemed to guess something that was anything but pleasant to him," replied his chum.
"Speak plainly, Jack," said Paul, eagerly, catching the other's eye, "you mean that he must