There was no response.
CHAPTER IV
A BUSINESS PROPOSITION
"Nobody at home," said Andy to himself.
He walked around the house to find all the windows closed and locked.
"That's the reason no one came to the fire," he resumed. "There's somebody, though."
Andy started in the direction of the barn. He had caught the sound of some one chopping or hammering there.
He came upon a hired hand splitting some sawed hickory slabs to whittle down into skewers.
"Mr. Dale's folks all away?" inquired Andy.
"Reckon they are, youngster," answered the man.