Preparations for exploring the mysterious tunnel on this occasion were much more complete and elaborate than when Bud, Dick and Nort walked through it before. And they did not rush off in haste, the moment it was discovered that the water no longer came through the reservoir end of the pipe line that formed the beginning and end of the old underground stream course.
"There's water enough for nearly a week, anyhow," said Bud, in discussing their plans. "And if we can't discover the cause of the stoppage inside of that time, and get it turned on again, we may as well know that and give up Flume Valley as a bad job."
"That's right," chimed in Nort.
"The stoppage is inside the tunnel, that's sure," voiced Dick.
"Yes," answered his cousin. "The water is running in all right from the river."
This fact had been ascertained by telephone. The water was running freely from Pocut River above the dam, and into the pipe that entered the side of the mountain.
Bud's father had been told of the situation, which followed so closely on the heels of the discovery of the evil acts of Pocut Pete.
"Doesn't this sort of set you fellows back so you want to give up ranching?" Mr. Merkel asked his son and nephews.
"Not a bit!" promptly answered Bud.
"We're going to stick!" added Nort.