ing the owner of the
vehicle; and Thad's eagerness in answering questions and giving
information slackened.

Truth to tell, he was not at all favorably impressed with the looks of
the gentleman. Reuben had keen, rat-like eyes, that seemed to burn a
hole in one when they became focused. There was constant suspicion in
his manner, as though with so many secrets to hide, he had always to be
on guard. And besides, Thad believed that Bob must have struck a true
chord when he declared the other to be cruel and unscrupulous by nature.

Perhaps he might be plotting to secure the little inheritance left to
the child by her father. It seemed almost beyond belief that any one
could be so mean as to want to injure so sweet looking a little girl as
Bertha; but then, Old Reuben worshipped gold, and when a man becomes a
miser he hesitates at few things in order to add to his stores.

But however the gentleman might have been interested in learning more
about the ways of Boy Scouts, Thad took particular notice that he did
not invite the hiking Silver Fox Patrol to stop a day or so with him at
his mountain home.

It might have been just natural meanness that caused this, since eight
healthy young appetites would eat up all in his larder. But then again,
there may have been other reasons for the lack of Southern hospitality.
Possibly Reuben did not care to have inquisitive strangers prowling
about his place. He may have occasional visitors, who brought cargoes
which he would not want other eyes to see.

The boys fell in shortly after the vehicle had vanished around a bend of
the road ahead; and the march was once more resumed.

Of course Bob took the earliest opportunity to forge alongside of Thad.
He was feverishly excited, so that his black eyes sparkled, and his
breath came faster than usual.

"What did you think of him, Thad?" he asked, the first thing.

"I must say I don't just like his looks;" replied the other; "but your
little cousin is everything you said she was. But Bob, she doesn't look
happy!"

"You could see that too, could you, suh?" exclaimed the other, gritting
his teeth angrily. "I know he treats her badly. She is thinner in the
cheeks than she was two years ago, though taller some. And Thad, there's
a look in her eyes that hurts me. I'm glad I wrote what I did in that
little note I slipped in her hand. Later on I'm going to tell you about
it. But oh! it looks like there was a slim chance to do anything for
p