r slapped his thigh as though in great glee.

"Well, this is great luck, sure enough. From your description I believe
that I know this Mr. Solus Smithers, though that isn't his name at all.
It keeps on getting better and better, the deeper I grub. And if all
turns out well, I shall owe you a heavy debt, my dear boy."

"Make it up in that letter then, sir. The stronger the better. And if you
happen to need any further assistance don't hesitate to call on us. We've
got some dandy trackers in the Red Fox patrol; and it would have to be a
pretty smart fellow to pull the wool over their eyes, sir."

"Good for you, Paul," said the gentleman, warmly; "always ready to sound
the trumpet for your comrades; but if the truth were told I reckon I'd
find the scout leader at the top of the bunch when it came to a knowledge
of woodcraft."

"Please don't, sir," pleaded Paul.

"Jack has been confiding to me all about how you've always been deeply
interested in outdoor life," went on Mr. Pender; "but as you have told
me all you know about this red car that has gone along the Grapevine
Road, headed for the old mill pond, I believe I'll have to leave you.
Take my hand, won't you, Paul? I promise to be good, and not put on
pressure, though my heart is very warm toward you, lad."

So Mr. Pender hurried away.

Paul turned back. He had noticed an air of unusual excitement inside the
post-office, and his curiosity was stirred. While Mr. Pender and his
strange mission was in the foreground, of course, he had been able to pay
little attention to anything else; but now that this was shelved he could
not resist the inclination to return, and ask what made the people stand
around in knots as though exchanging views.

He discovered Ted Slavin and three of his friends jabbering away just
inside the door, and heard one of them exclaim:

"Course we will go along; it'd be a big feather in our cap, fellers, if
we'd be the ones to bring him back."

"Yes, send out word for the boys to get together, Ted. We'll show 'em
what we fellers that has hunted since we was knee high, know about
follerin' a trail!" another remarked.

"Let up, you; d'ye want to give the whole snap away? See who's here!"
whispered Ted; but in such a hoarse tone of voice that Paul could not
help hearing.

Of course his curiosity was still further aroused. Whatever could have
happened in quiet Stanhope, to cause all this gathering of people, and
such earnest consultations?