“Better not,” advised Mr. Hatfield. “This water may be safe enough, but we have no way of being sure.”
The Cubs raised and lowered the well bucket several times, but did not drink. Dan went over to look at the big iron kettle which in days past evidently had been used for the boiling of apple sauce or maple sirup.
To his surprise, he noted that the ashes beneath the blackened container were faintly warm.
“Say, maybe this place isn’t deserted after all!” he exclaimed in alarm. “Someone’s been using this kettle recently.”
Babe Bunning, unmindful of Dan’s discovery, had pulled a box to a position beneath the kitchen window.
Flattening his nose against the pane, he peered inside.
“And someone’s been using this house!” the boy entoned. “In fact, she’s right here NOW!”
CHAPTER 10
Widow Jones
In confusion, Babe backed away from the kitchen window.
The other Cubs also were embarrassed, for they had not intended to investigate an occupied dwelling.