Tom Fairfield in Camp; or, The Secret of the Old Mill

realized that he might have a desperate character to deal with-a man who would not listen t

us, not meaning to do any harm, but just because he's erratic. And that sort of

as a movement on the part of the old man. He had been standing

lace we have here," mused Tom. "I w

d then decided that perhaps he cou

" he aske

like that of a cat-silently-stealthily-peering f

ded Tom. Stepping back, where he could not be

u doing in our camp? Be off b

glad to see that he did not bring the gun to bear. From under the shaggy e

was mistaken. For the hermit of the mill came forward until he stood direc

been looking for you. I warn you away! You must leave at once! I will not be cheated out of my fortune this way. Leave my w

row?" called Jack,

p on fire?"

all three of our hero's chums sprang

mill," explained Tom in a low voice. "H

going to do?

. Let's see w

angerous," c

y be his wood

part of the forest belonged to a big lumber company that was holding it for the t

're going

ure

ined motionless, regarding the boys

es out of my woods? Are you going to

y but respectfully, for after all, he thought th

red enough in the search for the fortune hidden from me. I want to

understand these are not your woods, and we have as good a rig

r. Probably he had expected a meek compliance, but, as it de

eproachfully at the lads and then, with an

ou must take the consequences. The pri

ished into the sh

!" exclaimed Tom, as

from pleasant dreams and told to move on in a trackless for

," observed Tom. "Do you thin

s long as I'm awake I'm going to have something to eat

And there's s

en, and we'll

s is; a quick-eat restauran

l help, and maybe we'll get to sleep aga

m, while Dick set out a plate of sandwiches he had m

is sure on our tr

as dangerous as the folks

old mill," added Bert. "By the way, Tom, when are we going to vi

ace wouldn't be on hand. I'm not exactly afraid of him, but, from what I can understand, he doe

ke a chance,"

ust spend all his time wandering about the woods. I

Jack. "Well, I'm going to turn in," he added, with a yawn. "If he comes back agai

spent in getting their camp more in ship-shape, and getting in a supply of wood for

ot see him. The woods and lake were as deserted as though they were in some country as yet unvisited by

," said Jack, as

declared Tom. "We couldn't ha

secret of the old mill there may

line it proved a garden spot for such sport. One had but to throw in a line to have a bite. They hunted, too, but as the season was not open they ma

t's get up an expedition and go there. We can go in the boat, for, as

'll go to-morr

p a lunch, for they would not be back to dinner, they set off

d at home," remarked Dick to Tom,

or a kick-up. I never praise this motor, for I actually believe it knows what

g the lake was much enjoyed. It was rathe

e shore of a little co

thing moving near the bank the

tter throttled down, making the machinery almost noise

he hermit," s

"I hope he doesn't begin o

ent later three figures suddenly stepped

in a low voice. "If

to behold their old acquaintances, Profe