“Hello, what’s that?” cried Sam, suddenly. He stooped to pick up a piece of brown wrapping paper which lay near the open fireplace. “Why, it has some writing on it.” Sam’s eyebrows were arched in surprise.
“Goodness! bring it over to the light,” cried Tom, eagerly.
Sam obeyed; all, including Dave, who had just entered the room, crowded closely around him.
They read, written in a large, scrawling hand:
“Extra! Look for the white trail. Search the underground passageway for the truth.”
“Search the underground passageway!” cried Dick, wonderingly. “What in the mischief does that mean?”
“Sounds like a mystery, all right,” murmured Cranny.
“And, to clear it, we’d better light a lantern and search,” suggested Dave.
His advice was acted upon. Crowding at Bob Somers’ heels, the now highly interested and mystified boys followed him toward a room at the western end of the house, where a stairway led down to the cellar.
“Hello—look!” cried Tommy. “That must be the trail.”