do," said Gif. "We might pass into the
woods and then turn around and come back again up behind Tony Duval's
shack. We can watch and see what the Germans do, and maybe we'll hear
what they and Duval have to say."

"That's an idea!" cried Jack. "I don't know but what we had better act
on it."

CHAPTER XXIV

A CONVERSATION OF IMPORTANCE

"Do you know anything about those Germans?" questioned Fred, turning to
Codfish.

"I know they came to see Tony Duval once or twice before," answered the
sneak of Colby Hall. "They and Duval seem to have some secret business
between them."

"Do you know what it is?" asked Jack.

At this Codfish shook his head.

"Did Werner and Glutts have anything to do with it?" came from Gif.

"They went to Duval's cabin once when the Germans were there. I asked to
go along, but they wouldn't let me. After that Bill and Gabe took some
kind of a message down to Timminsport for them. It was on their way back
from the town that they stopped and made a mess of things at your Lodge.
They were laughing and joking about it when they got back, and that is
how I know what took place."

"You said you would tell us where the things that were taken away are,"
came from Spouter.

"They are all in the barn under the hay--at least that is what Bill and
Gabe said. They took 'em out there in one of the bed sheets."

"I guess that's right," came quickly from Gif. "I noticed that one of
the sheets was missing."

They had now reached the shelter of the forest, and here, after a little
talk, it was decided that the twins and Fred should return to Cedar
Lodge at once, taking Codfish with them, while Jack, Gif, and Spouter
took a roundabout course leading to the rear of Tony Duval's shack.

"We've got to be careful," announced Jack. "For all we know, those
Germans may be desperate characters."

"And on the other hand they may be the most innocent fellows in the
world," added Spouter. "Remember, not all the German-Americans in this
country are unpatriotic."

The three soon reached a point where they could catch sight of Duval's
shack. They approached with caution so that they might not be seen from
the single back window of which the rough building boasted. As the boys
drew closer they saw that the window had been raised several inches.
Evidently there was a good fire going inside of the shack, and with so
many occupants the place had become overly warm.

"Then it's all settled, and you'll attend