r there, Paul?" and Jack allowed his voice
to sink as he spoke, just as though he wished to avoid being heard by
the party he indicated.

"Why, that was Mr. Clausin," said Paul, in a shocked voice, as the other
walked past them, giving both a keen glance as he did so, while his face
took on an expression of disappointment.

"Yes," murmured Jack, in a disturbed tone, "and how changed he looks!
There must have been something about those stolen papers more than any
of us know. He's been to the feed store again to make another search.
Perhaps he can't get it out of his head that he didn't hide them
somewhere. Poor man, I wish we could help him get them back. Joe's a
good fellow, and a true scout. I'd be mighty glad to see him look happy
again."

"So would I," said Paul, earnestly; "but hold on--don't show that you're
interested, only step aside into this shadow. There's some one following
Mr. Clausin, and when he passes that electric light over there I just
must get a peep at his face. Whoever he is, Jack, I believe the fellow
is a stranger in Stanhope! 'Sh!"

"Oh!" gurgled Jack, clutching his chum's arm convulsively.

CHAPTER V

GETTING READY FOR THE GREAT HIKE

"Can you see him yet, Paul?" whispered Jack, presently; for he had
dropped behind his companion, and his view was slightly hindered.

"Yes, he seems to be following Mr. Clausin," returned the patrol leader,
in an awed tone.

"Whatever ought we to do?" demanded Jack. "Perhaps he may be one of the
same crowd that robbed the feed store. And now he is following Joe's
father home! Oh! Paul, do you think he means to hold him up, or find out
where he lives, so he can steal something more?"

"I don't know," returned Paul, dubiously; "but we can't stay here and
let this thing go on."

"That's what I say, too," Jack hastened to say, as he once more reached
his feet. "Shall we call, and bring some of the fellows around? You know
how to bark like a fox better than any other scout in the troop. Give
the distress signal, Paul. If there's any fellow within a block of us
he's bound to hurry this way."

But Paul hesitated.

"That might do the job all right; but at the first sign of danger don't
you expect this fellow would disappear? How could we prove anything,
then, Jack; tell me that?"

"But if you won't do what I say, I'm sure it's because you've got
something else on tap that is better. Put me wise to it, Paul," begged
Jack.

"Come on then; we must