said Randolph
Rover. "Most likely several of the smugglers knew of it."

"And what of that ghost?" asked Anderson Rover, with a twinkle in his
eyes.

"Pooh! we're not afraid of ghosts," sniffed Sam. "Are we, Tom?"

"If I saw a ghost, I'd be apt to pepper him with shot, if I had my gun,"
answered Tom. "No, I'm not afraid of such things--and neither is Dick."

"It would be a fine thing to find a big boxful of silver," said Dick
seriously. "I know there was lots in that cave, before Dan Baxter
scooped it in. And, by the way, he must have that other map yet."

"Perhaps he went for the treasure box!" burst out Sam.

"If the box is gone, we can't help it," said Tom. "But I move we get to
Timber Run and Bear Pond just as soon as possible."

"Do you want to start in this cold weather?" asked his father anxiously.

"Pooh! It isn't so very cold."

"It's a good deal colder up in the mountains than it is here, I can tell
you that. Why, you might easily freeze to death if you got lost in the
snow."

"I wonder if we couldn't find some guide who knows that territory
thoroughly," mused Dick.

"If you could find a good guide, I wouldn't mind your going," said his
parent. "But I shall object to your going alone."

"Then we'll hunt for a guide, and without delay," said Dick. "I would
like to go up there before Putnam Hall opens again."

"So would I," came from his two brothers.

"I think I know where you can get a guide," said Tom, after a pause.
"The Lanings have relatives at Timber Run. Let's write to Mr. Laning."

This was agreed to, and a special trip was made to the village by Aleck
Pop to post the letter. In the letter they asked Mr. Laning to
telegraph, if possible, in reply.

The telegram came shortly after noon the next day. It ran as follows:

"I feel sure my brother-in-law, John Barrow, of Timber Run, can
supply a reliable guide. Will write to him.

"JOHN LANING."

"That settles it," said Dick. "I know the Lanings will do what is right
by us, so we may as well get ready to start at once. Are you willing,
father?"

"Yes, Dick," was the answer. "But be sure and keep out of danger, and
keep Tom and Sam out, too."

CHAPTER XIII.

THE HEART OF THE ADIRONDACK.

Three days later found the Rover boys in the heart of the Adirondack
Mountains of New York State. They had left home, after a hasty but
thorough preparation, two days before, and taken the train from Oak Run
to the mountain vil