then, and with all a natural boy’s curiosity aroused.

“Why, Elmer was just saying, and I agreed with him,” explained the tall pal, “that there was an odor of stale tobacco smoke hanging around this old cabin. He thinks it may have been some wandering tramp who put up here for the night.”

“But,” interposed Perk, “why should he skip out so quick when he heard us coming along the trail, or else caught the glimmer of Elmer’s torch? You’d think the poor chap’d feel mighty lonely, away off the beaten track of his kind, and be glad of our company.”

“Which remark shows how little you know of the hobo tribe in general,” chuckled the angular boy. “Most of the Weary Willies are born thieves, and only want a chance to steal to let themselves out.”

“Many are, anyhow,” admitted the more conservative Elmer, “and for all we know, this fellow has done something that makes him afraid of officers of the Law.”

“But he may come back again?” hazarded Perk, dubiously, a cloud beginning to gather upon his forehead, as though some of his expectations of a carefree holiday had received a sudden and unexpected backset.

“That’s true enough for you, Perk,” agreed the grinning Wee Willie; “but take my word for it, if he does it’ll not be to make our acquaintance.”

“What then?” asked the other, quickly, looking worried still.

“Oh! I reckon tramps have ferocious appetites, and get good and hungry,” continued the tall chum; “and if he hangs around for a bit he’ll smell our jolly supper cooking, which ought to make him well-nigh frantic.”

“Then you mean he may sneak back here during the night, with the idea of stealing some of our grub; is that it?” questioned Perk, his anxiety taking a new turn.

“It wouldn’t surprise me much if he did,” coolly observed Wee Willie.

“But you’re only guessing it was a tramp,” said Amos just then.

“Why, yes, that’s a fact,” admitted Elmer. “To be sure the man might be something entirely different from a hobo.”

“As what, Elmer?” asked Perk.

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