ing about it," went on Uncle Fred, "is that
every time the spring goes dry some of my cattle are taken away. I
suppose you could call it stolen, though I don't like to think that any
of my neighbors would steal. I used to think the cattle wandered away,
but since none of them wander back again I feel pretty sure they must be
taken on purpose."

"And every time the spring dries up the cattle are taken?" asked Mrs.
Bunker, while the six little Bunkers listened eagerly to Uncle Fred's
story.

"Almost every time. I don't know what causes it."

"Maybe the cows drink up all the water," said Russ.

"No, cattle don't come near the spring," said Mr. Bell. "They are on the
far end of the ranch. It is a puzzle to me; about as much of a puzzle as
the ghost must have been at Great Hedge, before you found out about it."

"So you came East to consult some engineers about the spring," remarked
Daddy Bunker. "Do you think they can help you?"

"Well, you know there are engineers who make a study of all kinds of
water; of springs, lakes, rivers, and so on," explained Uncle Fred.
"They are water-engineers just as others are steam or electrical
engineers. I thought I'd ask them the reasons for springs going dry.
Some of them may know something about the water in Montana, and they can
tell me if there are underground rivers or lakes that might do something
to my spring.

"Anyhow I had some other business in New York, so while I was attending
to that, and coming on here to get you folks, I thought I'd see the
engineers."

"And have you seen any yet?" asked his sister.

"Not yet. I'm going to in a day or so. But I stopped at a store and
ordered----"

Before Uncle Fred could say what it was he had ordered the doorbell rang
again. This time it could not be Daddy Bunker coming in, as he was
already at home.

Norah, who went to open the door, could be heard speaking to some one.

"Oh, and it's a message you have for Mr. Bell, is it?" she said. "Well,
come in and don't be standin' there in the wet rain."

"A message for me!" exclaimed Uncle Fred. "I hope it isn't any bad news
from my ranch--about more cattle being taken."

CHAPTER V

PACKING UP

"Somebody for you, Mr. Bell," announced Norah, as she opened wider the
door of the sitting room where the six little Bunkers, Uncle Fred and
the others were gathered. "It's a boy, and he has a package."

"Then it can't be a telegram containing bad news," said Uncle Fred.
"They