"Unless we can prove that this needle-business was queer," said one man.
"Yes, and that is what I hoped to prove to-night. But since Mr. Bixby is not here to talk to us——"
"Suppose we go and talk to him!" cried an officer.
"He may hear us coming, and run away," said another.
"Not if we go through the cave," suggested Tom. "I got into the cave, where Bunny and Sue found me, by going through a hole in Bixby's stable."
"Then you'd better lead us through the cave," said Mr. Brown. "We may surprise the man at his tricks."
The party was soon going along the lake shore toward the cave.
The cavern was dark and silent when they entered it, but their lights made it bright.
On they went, all the men, with Mrs. Brown, Uncle Tad and the children coming at the rear of the procession. After they had gone far into the cave the whinny of a horse was heard.
"Ha!" exclaimed Eagle Feather. "Him sound like my horse!"