They went out to the barn, and found Hawley, the hostler, gardener, and man-of-all-work, who could hardly believe the story they told him while he was hitching up; and it needed the sight of Mr. Warren's blacks, stepping out for Hammondsport at their best pace, and an examination of the broken fastenings of Joe's cabin, to convince him that the boys had not dreamed it all, and that there had really been something going on up there on the mountain.
"I wouldn't sleep in one of these shanties as long as those robbers are at liberty for twice fifteen dollars a month, and I think Uncle Hallet did just right in telling you to keep away from here after dark," said Hawley.
And he was in such haste to get the things into his wagon and start for home, that the boys were surprised, and wondered if he would be of any use to them if they got into any trouble.
"There," said Tom, at length; "Joe's cabin is as empty as it was two days ago. Now, let us go over to our own domicile, and see how things look there. We can move faster than you can, Hawley, so we will go on ahead."
"Well, I guess you'd better not," was the man's reply. "I judged from what you said that it was your uncle's wish that I should keep an eye on you. And how am I going to do it if you don't stay with me?"
"We are in a great hurry to find out whether or not our house was robbed at the same time that Joe's was," replied Bob, "and we can look out for ourselves. Come on boys!"
"He acts as if he were afraid to be left alone," whispered Joe Morgan.
"And I believe he is," answered Bob. "Events may prove that we are in more danger up here than we think for."
Bob didn't know how close he shot to the mark when he uttered these careless words, but he found it out afterwards.
Paying no heed to Hawley's remonstrances, the boys hastened on in advance of him, and in due time came within sight of Tom's cabin. Nothing there had been disturbed.