first time Jack’s instincts had acted as an alarm clock. The high school senior and Explorer crew leader was gifted with high intelligence and a certain intuition which had repeatedly saved him or his friends from near disaster.

Jack had proven himself the most valuable of the Explorers during the exciting adventure trips to South America which have been described in The Boy Scout Explorers at Treasure Mountain, and The Boy Scout Explorers at Emerald Valley. On this particular occasion, only the four tried-and-true Explorers had made the trip to Philmont Scout Ranch at Cimarron, New Mexico. In Belton City, however, they were associated with a large and active troop.

As Jack stood shivering in the chill night air, his ears picked up a disturbing sound. The noise, a series of thuds, and a groan, seemed to come from the direction of Old Stony’s cabin.

Jack did not hesitate. Diving back into the tent, he reached for trousers and shoes. By this time, Ken was awake and drowsily asked what was wrong.

“Something’s doing at Stony’s cabin,” Jack told him tersely. “I’m going to find out about it.”

Ken came fully awake in a flash. Asking no further questions, he too began to dress hurriedly. Willie slumbered peacefully on.

Once dressed, Jack and Ken started at a fast trot toward the cabin.

“What made you think anything’s wrong?” Ken demanded.

Before Jack could tell him, they both saw a light flash on and off in the cabin. Then the door opened, and a man ran out. In the darkness, the two Explorers gained only a general impression of someone tall and shadowy. His face was turned away from them, and he moved fast. They saw him dart past the unlighted motel office and into an alley.

“That wasn’t Old Stony!” Ken gasped.

“No!”

The Scouts crossed the driveway and shoved open the cabin door. Jack found the light switch. As the room became illuminated, he and Ken both stiffened in horror.

Old Stony, his bed unmade, was sprawling on the floor, bleeding from a forehead wound. The aged man was moaning piteously. For just an instant Ken and Jack thought he had suffered a stroke and fallen. But the evidence convinced them otherwise. Even if they had not seen the fleeing intruder, the condition of the cabin would have told its graphic 

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