A person of moods and impulses, Dick decided, watching him. Sometimes he wondered if Frischette were not assuming a certain behavior for their special benefit. What was his real purpose in coming with them? Certainly it was not because he really wanted the exercise and fresh air. More likely, he intended to go over to visit Creel.
Their course to Grassy Point Lake led them in the general direction of Creel’s cabin. When the Frenchman bade them adieu and turned back, Dick estimated that they had still about two miles farther to go before they would be directly opposite the abiding place of the mysterious recluse. Realizing this, his previous conviction that Frischette was really going there became shaken. Perhaps, after all, the road-house keeper had told the truth, was actually going back as he said.
Even if the man planned to strike off obliquely through the woods to Creel’s, hope of obtaining possession of the box was not altogether lost. They might still turn the trick that same night, if only they hurried. By running part of the way, they would arrive at the cabin sufficiently in advance of Frischette to achieve their purpose. With this thought in mind, Dick, after waving a friendly farewell to the unsuspecting Frenchman, led the party forward quickly until a turn in the trail obscured their movements. Then, breaking into a run, he darted along the shadowy forest path, motioning the others to follow.
Ten minutes later, the three boys drew away from Fontaine and Le Sueur, striking off at right angle with the dim trail to Grassy Point Lake, and continued their hurried course straight in the direction of the lonely cabin. As they proceeded on their way, excitement, caused by the thought of their coming adventure, grew upon them. They were shaky and nervous when they finally drew up in front of a thick screen of underbrush, less than sixty yards from the house. Dick motioned to Toma.
“Hurry around toward the front of the cabin,” he whispered tersely, “and give your bird-call.”
“Sure you all ready?” inquired the young Indian.
“Yes, all ready.”
“I go then.”
Without further word, Toma slunk forward, skirted the line of underbrush and presently disappeared from view.