Apparently the boys were out on some sort of fall hike. Each had
burdened himself not only with a pack but a blanket as well, the latter
secured, after the usual military habit, across one shoulder.

Each fellow also depended on a stout staff that, in a way, answered
for an Alpine stock, should they have to climb any hills. Besides, it
was handy as a weapon of defense in case they were attacked by a
vicious dog.

"Well, the time limit you set has come, Alec," Hugh was saying after
they had stretched themselves along the convenient log.

"Yes," burst out Billy, eagerly, "you promised to tell us all what
you confided to Hugh before he agreed to get up this little weekend
hike. I'm burning with curiosity to know what's in the wind."

"We've taken a leap in the dark, you see," added Arthur, "because
when Hugh said it would be well worth our while we just trusted him.
Now, open up, Alec, and relieve our suspense. You said the next time
we stopped you'd begin to explain all this dark mystery."

"Me, too," exclaimed the Stallings boy, who was always turning his
restless eyes upward, as though seeking some enticing branch where he
could exercise his favorite antics.

Alec Sands laughed softly.

"I'm ready to tell my little story, boys," he remarked. "It isn't such
a wonderful one, after all, but Hugh agreed with me that it might give