served on him that 25 day just before they came in out of the rain. 

25

 “How long before you may be confined?” asked Frank. 

 “Three days,” was the answer. “But I’m going to try and stave it off.” 

 It was a vain attempt, however. Three days later, when the storm had cleared, the boys came in from a fishing trip and found Mrs. Brun weeping, and the servants very much upset. 

 “What has happened?” demanded Frank of the housekeeper. 

 “Your dear—uncle—they came and took him away,” she sobbed. 

 “Took him away! Who?” 

 “I don’t know. But he told me to tell you he was under arrest, and that you would understand.” 

 “Under arrest!” exclaimed Frank, and as Ned echoed the words the brothers looked apprehensively at each other. 

26CHAPTER IV—SHIFTING FOR THEMSELVES

26

 Gradually, from the very much upset housekeeper and from the servants, Ned and Frank obtained an account of what had happened. Their uncle, who had been busily engaged in the intervening days in trying to straighten matters out, had arrived from New York in the early afternoon. 

 He had been busy in the library over papers and documents, when two strangers called and spent some time with him. There were loud words, the housekeeper said, and then Mr. Arden had come out, accompanied by the two men. 

 “He told me to tell you,” Mrs. Brun said, “that they were taking him to Atlanta.” 

 “Atlanta!” exclaimed Ned. 

 “There is a federal prison there,” said Frank. “Well, what happened next?” he asked the housekeeper. 

 “Your uncle begged and pleaded for time, saying he wanted to see you, and tell you of certain 27 matters. But the men—they must have been detectives I guess—” 

27

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