g good appetites. The long trip and the
excitement of their discovery of the secret code had sharpened their
naturally keen appetites until for once they all felt on equal terms
with the lumbermen. Jimmy surpassed himself, and great was the
admiration expressed for his ability as a trencherman.

After supper the boys sought out Mr. Fennington and told him of their
discovery in the lonely cabin. Then Bob showed him the copy he had made
of the code, and Mr. Fennington studied this a long time with knit
brows.

"There seems little doubt that you boys have unearthed an important
clue, and one that may easily lead to the discovery of the crooks who
stole my merchandise," he said, at length. "I suppose I should put this
information in the hands of the police. And yet perhaps we had better
say nothing until we learn something further. With your radio outfit you
may be able to catch another code message that would give us more
definite information, and then it would be time enough to call in the
police."

"I think that would be the best thing to do, Dad," agreed Herb. "As soon
as we get back home we'll fix it so one of us will be at the set a good
part of every afternoon and evening, and we'll be almost certain to
catch some more messages like the last one."

His father nodded, and was still considering the matter when there came
a knock at the door. Herb crossed over and opened it, and he and his
friends uttered exclamations of astonishment and delight as they
recognized the visitor. He was none other than Frank Brandon, the
government radio inspector.

On his part, he was no less pleased to see them, and they all shook
hands heartily, with many questions and explanations, after which the
radio inspector was introduced to Mr. Fennington.

"I suppose you're all wondering what I'm doing up here," he said, after
the greetings were over.

"Yes, in a way," admitted Bob. "Although we know that your position
calls you all over, and we may expect to meet you almost any old place."

"Yes, that's a fact," replied Brandon. "I'm up here on the same old
business, too. Somewhere in this neighborhood there's an unauthorized
sending station, but in these thick woods it may prove a rather
difficult place to locate exactly. However, it will only be a matter of
time when we nail it."

The boys glanced at one another, and the same thought was in all their
minds. They remembered the radio apparatus they had seen in the lonely
cabin, an