"
"Even if the sneak didn't get anything worth while," Ralph continued
indignantly, "the fact that they seem to be hanging out around here
seems to tell that they must have a good reason for it all. The more
I get to thinking about it, the less I feel like saying we'd better
let the thing alone because it doesn't concern us. When things come
to such a pass that unknown persons even sneak into your cabin in
your absence and steal what they believe to be valuable papers, it's
high time to take a hand in the business. And if while we're
wandering around here we happen to run across those two men, I'll
feel like asking what they mean by poking their noses into Bud's
private business."
"Hear! hear!" said Bud, pretending to clap his hands; "that's the
sort of a chum to stack up with. Ralph's the kind to stick to a
fellow through thick and thin. And please inform that taller
walking mystery for me, Ralph, that I feel like telling him to
his face that he's a thief. Will, too, if ever I get half a chance."
Pretty soon Hugh and Ralph changed the subject of conversation and
wandered off together, talking earnestly about the habits of
muskrats and mink and otter. It was pretty late in the year to do
much in the way of tracking, but Ralph knew several places along a
nearby stream where he had often caught mink that were using the
burrows; and he was anxious to show his friend certain things in
connection with the habits of the sleek animals, the skins of which
were always in such good demand for furs.
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