y a small settlement once the center of an
important lumber industry, but now turned into a hunting preserve, owned
by a number of rich men. As the Lodge was not in use this season, Mr.
Pertell had engaged it for his company.

In due time the baggage was all packed, the various "properties" had
been shipped by Pop Snooks and everything was ready for the trip. The
journey from the railroad station at Hampton Junction to Elk Lodge, in
Deerfield, was to be made in big four-horse sleds, several of them
having been engaged, for it was reported that the snow was deep in the
woods. Winter had set in with all its severity there.

Finally all the members of the company were gathered at the Grand
Central Terminal, New York. The players attracted considerable
attention, for there was that air of the theater about them which always
seems so fascinating to the outsider, who knows so little of the really
hard work that goes on behind the footlights. Most of the glitter is in
front, in spite of appearances.

"Why, it's like setting off for Oak Farm!" remarked Alice, as she stood
beside her sister, Paul and Russ.

"Only there isn't any mystery in prospect," spoke Paul. "I wonder how
the Apgars are getting on, now that their farm is safe?"

"They're probably sitting about a warm fire, talking about it," Russ
said.

"There may be just as much of a mystery in the backwoods as there was at
Oak Farm, if we can only come across it," suggested Alice. "I wish we
could discover something queer."

"Oh, Alice!" protested Ruth.

Mr. Sneed was observed to be walking about, peering at the various sign
boards on which the destination of trains was given.

"What are you looking for?" asked Russ.

"I want to see that we don't start out on track thirteen as we did when
we went to Oak Farm, and had the wreck," the actor answered. "I've had
enough of hoodoos."

"You're all right this time--we leave from track twenty-seven," called
Mr. Pertell. "All aboard for Deerfield and Elk Lodge!"

CHAPTER VIII

A BREAKDOWN

There was snow everywhere. Never could Ruth, Alice, and the other
members of the Comet Film Company remember so much at one time. They
seemed to have entered the Polar regions.

Along the tracks of the railroad the white flakes were piled in deep
drifts, and when they swept out from a patch of woodland, and had a view
across the fields, or down into some valley, they could see a long,
unbroken stretch of white.

"It s