a sigh
at the open door. Then a figure stalked in.

They could see that it was Aaron Dennison.

Mr. Dennison walked straight over to where that loose plank lay. He
did not show the slightest sign of hesitancy, but stooping down placed
some object on the floor, after which he began to raise the plank as
though familiar with its working.

No wonder the boys stared, and Bluff chuckled softly, when they saw
the object so carefully deposited on the floor by the man who walked
in his sleep.

It was the golden cup, won in the amateur golf tournament by Gilbert
Dennison!

They watched him lift the plank, and then quickly place the cup in
the hole underneath; after this he gently lowered the board, patted it
affectionately, and arose to his feet as if to go.

Frank was more than satisfied. The mystery had been explained in a
fashion that left not a shred of doubt behind.

At the same time Frank found himself wondering what Gilbert would do
next. To convince Mr. Dennison that he himself was wholly to blame, it
would seem to be the proper thing to awaken him before he quitted the
cabin, and show him the cup nestling under the plank.

Frank dimly remembered reading that it was not a wise thing to arouse
a sleep-walker suddenly; he understood that the sudden shock had a
tendency to affect the brain. Apparently Gilbert did not know this,
for he stepped forward and reaching out caught hold of the old man's
arm, shaking it as he called:

"Wake up, Uncle Aaron, wake up!"

They saw the sleeper give a tremendous start. Then he stared first at
Gilbert, and then around him as though dazed.

"It's I, Uncle, and you've been up to your old tricks again, walking
in your sleep," the young fellow told him. "Yes, no wonder you look as
if you could hardly believe your eyes; for you've wandered down to the
old cabin on the Point And, Uncle, what do you think we saw you
doing?"

As he said this Gilbert in turn suddenly stooped, and managing to get
the loose plank up he pushed it aside. When he picked up the golden
cup and held it before the eyes of the old gentleman, Bluff could
hardly keep from bursting into laughter, the look of astonishment on
Mr. Dennison's face was so ludicrous.

"Did I bring that cup here, and stow it away again in that hole,
Gilbert?" he demanded.

"You certainly did, Uncle," he was told.

"Then it stands to reason that I must have been guilty on that other
occasion, too, Nephew?" faltered the old hermit.