Bob was silent for several moments after the new-comer ceased speaking, and then said savagely:
"But for me that cub would have been put out of the way before he'd done anything except tell a certain story in New York. Now all I ask is a chance to get hold of him again, and I'll swear to it that he won't do any more mischief."
"What is the New York racket?" Barker asked curiously. "I've noticed that you and Joe had a secret which bothered you more'n this matter did."
"If I don't tell you there'll be no danger of your splittin' on us," was the gruff reply. "What I want to know is whether there's any show of our being tracked to this place?"
"Of course, no man can say that to a dead certainty; but unless the fellows who are jugged give the snap away, we're safe here, providing Jabe can take care of us," Sam replied.
Mr. Barker did not venture any advice, possibly because he feared it might not be safe to have too many guests at his house for the villagers to gossip about.
"What about the house in the woods?" Bob finally asked.
"Two fellows from Albany stayed there a couple of days, and then got tired of waiting. They took the train home last night."
"Did they find anything?"
"No; I went up to the big oak this morning, and there were no signs the ground had been disturbed since we left."