"Possibly," admitted Joe. "But, even if we didn't, and he really is sorry it was we who saved him, I don't see that it need matter. He is probably so polite that the reason he objects is because he didn't want to put us to so much trouble."
"Perhaps," agreed Blake. "As you say, it doesn't much matter. I rather like him."
"So do I," assented Joe. "But he sure is queer, in some ways. Quite dramatic. Why, you'd think he was on the stage the way he went on after he learned that we two, who had saved him, were the moving picture boys to whom he had a letter of introduction."
"Yes. I wonder what it all meant?" observed Blake.
The time was to come when he and Joe were to learn, in a most sensational manner, the reason for the decidedly queer actions of Mr. Alcando.
For some time longer the chums sat and talked. But as the day waned, and the supper hour approached, they were no nearer a decision than before.
"Let's let it go until morning," suggested Blake.
"I'm with you," agreed Joe. "We can think better after we have 'slept on it.'"
Joe was later than Blake getting up next morning, and when he saw his chum sitting out in a hammock under a tree in the farmyard, Joe noticed that Blake was reading a book.
"You're the regular early worm this morning; aren't you?" called Joe. "It's a wonder some bird hasn't flown off with you."