ike Tad."

"Must have been a mistake," was Tom's comment. "What would he be doing
around Ithaca?"

"Well, he's got to stay somewhere, Tom."

"But he wouldn't stay so close to Cedarville--he'd probably go to some
big city," put in Dick.

As the train rushed on the Rover boys talked the matter over, but could
make nothing out of it.

"I suppose he is in hiding waiting to see if Nick Pell will recover,"
said Dick. "He knows that if Nick doesn't get over his trouble he'll be
liable to prosecution."

At the station at Oak Run the boys found their father awaiting them with
the big family sleigh. All piled in, and over the crisp snow they
started for Valley Brook farm.

"I need not ask how you are feeling," said Anderson Rover. "Every one of
you looks the picture of health."

"I never felt better in my life," declared Dick, and Tom and Sam said
the same.

"Has Uncle Randolph heard anything more of his traction company bonds?"
asked Tom, as they drove along.

"Not a word more," answered his father. "It is a great loss to him."

"Do you suppose the game was tried on anybody else?" asked Sam.

"We have not heard of it."

Arriving at home, the boys were warmly greeted by their uncle and their
aunt and also by the others around the house. Their aunt had a hot
supper awaiting them, and while they ate this the whole subject of the
missing bonds was thoroughly discussed. The boys learned that a private
detective was still on the trail of Merrick and Pike, but so far had
reported nothing of importance.

"I believe those rascals,--or at least Merrick--must belong around Lake
Cayuga," observed Dick. "Otherwise we shouldn't have seen Merrick in
Ithaca and up at the Stanhope place."

"I was very simple to let them get the best of me. The next time I shall
be more careful," said Randolph Rover.

The boys learned from Jack Ness that hunting in the woods back of the
farm was good, and two days before Christmas they went out with the
hired man. They went for rabbits and squirrels, and each took his
shotgun along and a substantial lunch, for they expected to be out the
greater part of the day.

It was clear, cold weather, the sun glistening brightly on the snow.
They journeyed directly for a portion of the woods they knew was a
favorite spot for rabbits, and it was not long before they started up
several.

"There they go!" cried Dick, and took aim. Bang! bang! went his gun, and
the reports of Tom's firearm followed. Thr