what Washington takes along in the projectile--that is, unless we find
people on the other side of the place."

He sat on the stone for some minutes longer, and then, tiring of the
inactivity, he arose and strolled about. Something seemed to draw him
in the direction of the old house, which he knew was just around the
bend in the road.

"I guess there wouldn't be any harm in my going along and taking a peep
at it," mused the lad. "It will be some time before Jack returns, and I
may be able to catch a glimpse of our man. I think I'll go up where I
can see the place, and I can come back in time to meet Jack. I'll do
it. Maybe the fellow might escape while I'm waiting."

Mark thus tried to justify himself for his action in not keeping to his
agreement with his chum. Of course it was not an important matter, Mark
thought, though the results of his simple action were destined to be
more far-reaching than he imagined. He thought he would be back in time
to meet Jack, and so he strolled on, going more cautiously now, for, in
a few minutes he would come in sight of the old, deserted house, and he
did not know what he might find there.

Mark's first sight of the Preakness homestead was of two old stone
posts, that had once formed a fine gateway. The posts were in ruins,
now, and half fallen down, being covered with Virginia creeper, the
leaves of which were now a vivid red, mingled with green.

"Nothing very alarming there," said Mark, half aloud. He could just
catch a glimpse of the roof of the house over the tops of the trees,
which had not yet shed all their leaves. "Guess I'll go on a little