oking Herman Crouse full in the
eyes.

"Yes, yes! I know!" The eyes of the man fell for an instant. "I am not a
German," he said somewhat lamely. "That is, I was born on the other
side, but I came to this country before I was twenty-one, and now I am
an American."

"Then you don't side with Germany in this war?"

"I don't side with the Kaiser. I am sorry for the common people, for
they have had no say-so in this awful slaughter that is going on."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that you stick up for the good old U. S. A.!"
cried Jack. "You know there are a good many Germans and German-Americans
here who are the other way."

"I want nothing to do with them and nothing to do with war!" answered
Herman Crouse. "I am only a hard-working man who wants to be left
alone." He paused for an instant. "Don't imagine that I have forgotten
what you did for me," he continued, with a little smile. "You were my
very good friends, and I shall never forget it. Now, if you please, I
must hurry on, because I want to get back home before it gets too dark.
I wish you all the best of luck with your hunting;" and he took up the
reins again.

"Do you know anything about the hunting in that direction?" questioned
Randy, pointing to where the old Parkingham house was located.

"I do not think it is very good up there," was the quick reply. "And,
anyway, if I were you gentlemen I would not go anywhere near the old
house up there."

"Why not?" demanded Jed Wallop.

"The people who are staying there are very queer. They do not like any
strangers around."

"Then you know them?" questioned Gif.

"Yes, I know them, but not very well. Some of them are German-Americans,
like me, but they are not my friends. I would advise you to stay away
from them. The hunting, anyway, is better elsewhere. Now good-bye and
good luck." And thus speaking, Herman Crouse urged forward his team and
continued on his way.

"I'll bet a new hat against a lemon that he is bound for the old
Parkingham house!" exclaimed Randy, when the German was out of earshot.

"Let us follow him and make sure," returned his twin.

"All right," said Jack. "But we had better keep out of sight among the
trees."

With so much timber standing around, this was an easy matter. Following
Crouse, they saw the man at last turn in at the old house and drive
around to where the barn was located. Then he got out of the boxsled and
walked to a back door of the residence.

"Now I guess we'll fin