r and Brown," said Uncle Barney. "Oh, if only I could get
my hands on them!" and his eyes flashed.

The trail now led through a patch of woods and went into something of a
semicircle. Then there was a little loop, which caused the boys some
perplexity, but did not bother the old lumberman.

"They lost their way--that's all," explained Uncle Barney. "But, after
moving around in a loop, they headed in this direction," and he pointed
with his hand. "Come on! Maybe they got hopelessly lost further on and
are still in the woods. I hope so."

The trail led deeper and deeper into the woods and wound in and out
among a number of rocks. It was plainly evident that Slugger and Nappy
had lost their way, and had made a number of false turns.

"Here is where they rested again," announced Jack presently, and showed
where some rocks had been swept clear of the snow.

"Yes, and they stopped long enough to have something to eat," added
Randy. "Here are a crust of bread and some cake crumbs."

The trail continued to wind in and out among the woods, and the Rovers
and the old lumberman followed it for fully an hour longer. Then they
came out on the eastern shore of the island.

"I guess this is the end of it," announced Uncle Barney dismally. "They
probably skated away from this point."

"No, they didn't!" cried Jack, who was making an examination of the
footprints. "They went down the lake shore."

"I'll tell you what I think!" said Randy. "They most likely wanted to
get to Rockville, and they were afraid that if they attempted to cross
to the other side of the island they would become lost again. So instead
of going across, they went down to the lower end."

"Here come two men!" cried Randy suddenly. He had been peering out on
the surface of the lake.

"Maybe they are Professor Lemm and Mr. Brown," suggested Andy.

The men were at a great distance, but skating rapidly toward the island.
As they came closer, Jack saw that they were strangers, and he waved his
cap and shouted at them.

"They may have seen Slugger and Nappy, or else they may have some news
for us," he said.

As the two strangers came closer, Uncle Barney looked at them curiously.
Then he drew himself up and his face stiffened.

"Don't you know those two men?" he questioned rather sharply, turning to
the boys.

"No," answered Jack, and the others shook their heads.

"The man ahead is Fred Stevenson, and the other is Mr. Powell."

"Oh, is that so!" excl