"I had quite a way to go," Dick replied quietly. Then he cut a number of grass stalks, trimming them to different lengths. "Fellows, I want you to draw lots. I don't feel any too much like a walk to Five Corners after dinner, but if I get the short straw I'll go."
"No; you'd better not try it," warned Darrin. "Your hip might begin to give you trouble before you get back. If someone has to go, let the other five draw."
But Dick insisted that the draw should decide it all.
"What's the matter?" asked Tom Reade shrewdly. "Have you found traces of Tag Mosher?"
"I've seen him," Dick replied, "and talked with him. Come to think of it, I believe two fellows had better go. The two who are to go will be those who draw the shortest straws. All ready?"
Dick covered one end of the grass stalks, so that no one could be sure as to which lot he drew. The lots fell to Reade and Darrin.
"Now, tell us about the meeting," begged Hazelton.
"Let's sit down and begin to eat," Prescott proposed. "As we eat I will describe the meeting."
Plates passed rapidly until all were served. Then Dick told his chums the story of the meeting with Tag Mosher.