axed to come around to-night,
and meet the rest of the boys," the boy told him. "We expect to have a
dozen present, and when Mr. Witherspoon is explaining what a scout must
subscribe to in joining a troop, it might influence some of the fellows
if you would tell them a few things like those you were just describing
to us."

The old naturalist looked at the eager faces of the five lads, and a
smile came over his own countenance. Undoubtedly he was a lover of and
believer in boys, no matter whether he had ever had any of his own or
not.

"I shall be only too pleased to come around, Tom; if Judge Stone can
run his car by moonlight. Tell me where the meeting is to take place."

"The deacons of the church have promised to let us have a room in the
basement, which has a stove in it. The meeting will be at eight
o'clock, sir," Tom informed him.

"I hope to be there and listen to what goes on," said the hermit. "And
after all I'm not sorry those vicious boys thought to bombard me the
way they did, since it has given me the opportunity to get acquainted
with such a fine lot of lads. But I see my friend, the Judge, coming
with his car, and I'll say good-bye to you all for the present."

He waved his hand to them as he rode away beside the white-bearded
judge, who was one of the most highly respected citizens of Lenox.

"Well, he's a mighty fine sort of an old party, for a fact!" declared
George, as they looked after the receding car; nor did he mean the
slightest disrespect in speaking in this fashion of the interesting old
man they had met in such a strange way.

"I'd give something if only I could visit Mr. Henderson at his cabin,"
remarked Felix; "I reckon he must have a heap of things worth seeing in
his collection."

"Who knows," said Tom, cheerily, "but what some good luck might take us
up that way one of these fine days."

"Let's hope so," added Josh, as they once more started toward home.

CHAPTER III

A CLOUD OVER THE OSKAMP HOME

Tom and Carl walked along together after the other three boys had
dropped off at various stages, taking short-cuts for their homes,
as supper-time was approaching.

"What's gone wrong, Carl?" asked Tom, as he flung an arm across the
shoulders of his closest chum.

"I was meaning to tell you about it, Tom," explained the other,
quickly; "but somehow I kept holding back. It seemed as if I ought
to find a way of solving that queer mystery myself. But only this
morning I