"I'll tell you while we're at supper," said the scientist. "I confess that Washington's announcement came just at the right time. I am very hungry."
CHAPTER V
THE SECRET POWER
For a few minutes after they were seated at the table nothing was heard but the rattle of the dishes and the clatter of knives and forks. Washington was a fine cook, and there was a plentiful supply of just what the boys liked best.
When the meal was well under way, the dining room door opened, and a strange figure entered. It was that of rather an aged man, who walked with soft, cat–like tread, and who leaned forward, as if on the trail of some enemy or wild beast. His eyes were bright, however, in spite of his age.
"Andy Sudds!" exclaimed Jack. "I was wondering where you were."
"Well, snap my gunlock, if it isn't Jack Darrow!" exclaimed Andy.
"Any luck?" asked Mark, for he knew the old man must have been hunting.
"And Mark, too!" went on the old hunter. "Well, this is a surprise. No, I didn't have any luck—that is, what you could call luck. There's been a weasel carrying off our chickens and killing them, and I went out to shoot it."
"Did you cotch it, Mistah Sudds?" asked Washington anxiously.