it at our convenience. Darry, we'll follow you in pursuit of
your man of mystery. Come out of here, fellows."

Dick led the way out of the cave, flashing the light as he walked.
All four blinked when they found themselves out in the sunlight.

"Now, which way are we going, David, little giant?" demanded Tom
good-humoredly.

Now that he was put to it, Dave had to confess that he didn't
know.

"Let's make a swift, thorough search all around here, and see
if we can find any footprints not made by ourselves," Dave suggested
rather weakly, at last.

This was done, and faithfully, for, now that they were out in
the sunlight again, the interest in the mystery began to return.
It grew stronger as they searched. At last, however, after more
than an hour of fruitless effort that offered not an atom of promise,
even Darry was willing to give it up for the time, at any rate.

"Let's keep on walking along the slope, then," Dick suggested,
"until we come in sight of the canoe."

As they walked along they came to a brook that, at this point,
was nearly the width of a creek. The water ran noisily down over
the stones, save here and there where there were deep pools.

"It's narrow enough, at one point below here, to jump over," Dave