In a few minutes they were all in the house with the exception of Pierre, who stayed outside to keep an eye on things. As soon as they entered Mr. Waterman and Bob at once noticed that this was no Indian's hut nor that of the ordinary woodsman. The room was as neat as a pin. This was rather out of the ordinary for a cabin in the woods. But what attracted the attention of both of them was the sight of several chemical and wireless instruments that both recognized at once.
"What's this?" said Mr. Waterman. "I'm not much on wireless, but I know that this is part of a wireless plant."
"You're right," said Bob. "I have one of them on my aerial for my wireless at home. This is merely for receiving."
"Now, what do you think any one would want with a wireless outfit away back here in the woods?" asked Mr. Waterman, more to himself than to Bob.
"Do you think it has anything to do with the great European war that is raging at this time?" said Bob.
"That's the natural explanation, of course," said Mr. Waterman.
"But what's the use of a wireless up here?" asked Bob in his turn.
"You think that this is only a receiving station. Perhaps this is run by some German spy to discover just when the troop ships are leaving Quebec for England."
"If that's so," said Jack, who had not said a word so far, but who had followed the conversation very closely, "we are likely to run into trouble, for any one that would do a thing of this kind would not hesitate to go to the limit."
"That's very true," said Mr. Waterman reflectively. "At the same time, I hardly see why we should run into danger, as we are Americans."