Part 38 (1/2)
”This is certainly queer,” said Jack.
”Say, what's the matter with opening one or two of the cases and seeing what's in 'em?” suggested Fred.
”Have we any right to do that?” asked Gif doubtfully.
”We'll take the right,” decided Jack. ”I'm satisfied that those fellows are up to no good. You know what Tony Duval said when they asked him to do something.”
Not far from the barn was a woodshed, and here the cadets procured an axe and a hammer. With these implements they managed to pry open one of the packing cases. Inside was what looked to be electrical machinery, but just what it was they could not make out.
”Looks like that telephone or telegraph line all right enough,” remarked Randy. ”But what are those fellows going to do with any such line as that away up here?”
”It's a riddle, ain't it?” remarked Jed Wallop. ”Jest the same, that stuff looks mighty suspicious to me.”
They continued their investigation, and behind the packing cases found some machinery. All of it was new and strange to them.
”If they've got so much queer stuff out here in the barn, how much more do you suppose they've got in the house?” questioned Fred.
”If I was sure no one was at home I'd be strongly tempted to find a way inside and take a look around,” said Jack.
”Come ahead and do it!” burst out Randy. ”I don't believe there's a soul around.”
”I'll tell you what I'll do,” said Jack finally. ”You keep out of sight, and I'll go out on the road and walk toward the house and knock on the door. Then, if anybody comes, I'll say that I'm out hunting and would like to buy a bit to eat. They can't refuse me a bite, and that will give me a little chance to look around while I'm inside.”
”I don't think you ought to go alone,” said Gif. ”They know there are a bunch of us at the Lodge and they would be rather suspicious if you were by yourself. Why not let me go with you?”
So it was arranged, and, leaving the others hidden in the barn, the two cadets started to walk through the woods to the road.
”Keep your guns with you,” advised Jed Wallop. ”And if you git into anything like a tight place, shoot off one of the guns as a signal and we'll be to the rescue in no time.”
The two boys were soon out on the lonely mountain road, and then they headed for the old house. Boldly mounting the main piazza, they knocked sharply on the door.
At first there was no response, and the lads were just congratulating themselves on the fact that the premises were deserted when they heard shuffling footsteps. Then came the tremulous voice of an elderly woman speaking in broken English.
”Who ist der? Vat you vants?”
”We are a couple of boys out hunting,” answered Jack. ”We would like to know if we can buy something to eat.”
”I haf nodings for you. You besser go somevhere else.”
”Can't we come in and get warm?” asked Gif.
”_Nein._ You go avay.”
”Who lives here?” questioned Jack loudly, for the woman had made no attempt to open the door.
”Dis ist Mister Bauermann's house.”
”Is he in? I'd like very much to speak to him. I am sure he would let us have something to eat,” went on Jack in the smoothest tone he could command.
”Do you know Mister Bauermann?” questioned the woman cautiously.