"Well," said Laddie slowly, as he took off his own hat to run his fingers through his hair, "that isn't as good a riddle as the one about Zip's breath coming in short pants."
"Maybe not. But it's harder to guess," said Russ.
Then the two boys, after waiting for Zip's breath to come out of short pants—that is, waiting for him to get rested—went for a ride in the dog-cart.
As they were going down the road they saw, coming toward them, a man with bright red hair. He was driving a horse and carriage.
"There's Mr. Hurd," said Russ. "He's the one we thought was the tramp lumberman that got daddy's real estate papers."
"I see him," said Laddie. "Look! He's waving to us! Let's go over and see what he wants."
Mr. Hurd was driving down a cross road, and waited for the boys to come up to him.
"Hello, Russ and Laddie!" he called, "I've got some news for you!"
"News?" asked Russ.
"Yes. Do you remember when you took me for the red-haired lumberman that you thought had your father's papers: Remember that?"