* * *
Both men considered the matter mentally, and their thoughts concurred. After all, Bruce Duncan had actually disappeared. Their story was one of fact. The theory that Duncan might have gone, prepared for danger, to the meeting place was a correct deduction. To say that he had not returned would certainly be a curbing influence upon the sixth man. It would make him quite willing to abide by the wishes of Vincent and Weston, to follow any instructions that they might receive.
"I wonder why Bruce Duncan does not return," remarked the Englishman casually as he lighted his pipe.
Vincent smiled. The major was accustoming himself to the story already. Vincent opened the front door a trifle. The room was smoky from the fire.
"What have you been doing all day?" he asked the Englishman.
"I tramped down to the village," said Weston. "A long hike it was. I was there most of the day."
"That was a mistake," observed Harry. "You might have been seen."
"By whom? I told my name to no one. You and Duncan went to the village frequently, didn't you?"
"Yes; but our case was different. We established a reason for being here. We even had Pennsylvania licenses on our car. You are here alone, with no reason for your presence. You are obviously a Britisher. The natives are apt to talk about you."
"Right-o," said the Englishman. "I never considered it in that light. What shall I do? Stay around here?"