had better take some sticks, too,
in case there might be a fight. "Was it Jim Nelson?" went on Uncle Toby.
"Sometimes he taps on my window when he comes around by the side path."

"I--I couldn't see who it was--except that he was a man," stammered
Janet. "As soon as he saw me looking at him he ran away."

"Jim Nelson wouldn't do that unless he was playing a trick," decided
Uncle Toby. "And Jim isn't that kind of a man. He wouldn't scare
children. I must see who this is!"

"Maybe he's the tramp we saw over at the place where you got the pail of
water this afternoon," said Ted.

"Maybe," agreed Uncle Toby. "Well, if he's a poor man and in trouble I'm
sorry for him. But he hasn't any right to come sneaking around my
cabin, tapping on the window. I'll see about this!"

Uncle Toby went outside, and the boys followed. Trouble wanted to go
with Ted, but Janet held back her little brother.

In the moonlight, which was brighter now, as the clouds had blown away,
Uncle Toby made a trip around the cabin, taking Skyrocket with him,
while the boys, each with a chunk of wood as a weapon, followed Mr.
Bardeen.

Uncle Toby called loudly to know who was in the woods, and the dog
barked, but no man answered.

"I can't find any one," Uncle Toby announced, coming back into the cabin
with the boys. "It's too dark to see if there are any strange footprints
in the snow, and I don't believe we could tell by them anyhow, as Jim
Nelson and some of his friends have been tramping around here the last
few days, bringing in wood and things. Are you sure you saw a man at the
window, Janet?"

"Sure, Uncle Toby. And I heard him tapping on the glass, too."

"Well, I don't believe he meant any harm. Maybe he was the tramp we saw
at the lonely cabin, or it may have been another. He may have wanted
shelter for the night, and something to eat. But when he heard you
scream it must have frightened him off, as he may have had an idea he'd
be scolded for frightening a little girl. Anyhow, no harm is done, and
there will be no danger. Go on with your game."

However, the children were too excited over what had happened to do
this. Janet was trembling, and the others wanted her to tell over again
just what had happened. And as Janet told and retold it she became less
frightened, until finally she was laughing as though it had been a joke.

"But if I'd 'a' got that man I'd 'a' hit him with a stick of wood!"
threatened Ted.

"So would I!" declared