"Did you?" asked the fat boy sharply, turning the laugh on Ned.

"You remember what we were told in Springfield," said Walter.

"What was that?" asked the Professor.

"That a band of robbers had been causing considerable excitement in
the Ozarks for several months past."

"Yes, you are right. I had forgotten that," nodded Professor Zepplin.
"Stealing horses and other things."

"Yes."

"But it's all nonsense to think they would bother us," objected Ned.
"We haven't anything that they would want."

"No, nor do we want them," replied Walter, with emphasis. "I guess we
had better sleep on our rifles to-night."

"That will hardly be necessary," smiled the Professor.

"How about Eagle-eye?" asked Ned. "Didn't he hear anything?"

"Eagle-eye was away last night."

"Oh, yes, that's so. I had forgotten that."

"It might be a good idea to tell him about it," suggested Tad,
glancing over at the Professor.