Remembering the prowlers of whom Mr. Brown had Spoken, Joe went straight back to his cabin, took a good look around to make sure that everything there was just as he had left it, and then started off in search of Tom and Bob.
He found them setting their house in order. A note of warning from Tom's little beagle brought them both to the door, where they remained until Joe came up.
They were somewhat surprised at his actions. Instead of replying to their greetings, he leaned on the muzzle of his rifle and looked quizzically at them.
"Halloa! What has come over you all of a sudden?" exclaimed Bob.
Still Joe did not speak. He shut his left eye, and looked at Bob through the half-closed lids of the other.
"What do you mean by that pantomime?" chimed in Tom.
By way of reply, Joe shut his right eye and looked at Tom with the left; whereupon all the boys broke out into a hearty laugh.
"Say," said Joe at length, "I wish you would tell me just how much you know about the ghost that has taken up his abode down there in the gorge."
"What ghost?" asked Bob, staring hard at his friend Tom, and trying to look surprised.
"Down where in what gorge?" inquired Tom, returning Bob's stare with interest.