Dan had covered less than half the distance when Chips suddenly plunged into view. The water pail left behind, he obviously was excited as he ran toward the other boy.
“Dan!” he exclaimed breathlessly. “I—I saw someone at the spring!”
Dan scarcely knew whether to laugh or take Chips seriously.
“What’s so strange about that?” he demanded. “Was it one of the Den Dads?”
“Of course not!” Chips retorted, exasperated. “What do you think I am, anyhow? A scared cat? I saw this man peering at me as I reached down to dip water from the pool at the spring.”
“Sure you aren’t pulling another skeleton trick?”
“Heck, no! I swear it! Dan, I really saw this man—an ugly looking fellow. It gave me a bad start. I dropped the water bucket and ran.”
“It may have been Jabowski. I’ve been told he stays on the island while Mr. Manheim is away.”
“This man had dark bushy hair and hadn’t shaved in three or four days.”
“You’re sure he didn’t have horns sprouting from his forehead?”