Part 43 (1/2)
Had they not been hampered by so many bundles and packages, some of which were quite heavy, the cadets would have remained out hunting for the rest of the day. But as it was, they decided to skate directly home and obtain a belated lunch at the Lodge, and then, if they felt like it, go out later.
”We're up here just for the fun of it, so there is no necessity of being too strenuous,” said Gif. ”We want to go back to Colby Hall feeling really refreshed.”
They had reached the river once more, and were busy putting on their skates, when they heard a shout behind them. Turning, they beheld a man who, as soon as he saw they were looking in his direction, waved his hand at them.
”Excuse me, but are some of you the Rover boys?” he questioned, as he came closer.
”Yes,” answered Jack. ”I am one of the Rovers, and these are my cousins,” and he indicated the others.
”I was up at the store, and the storekeeper told me you had just gone away and were bound up the river. If you don't mind, I would like to have a talk with you.”
The man was of medium size, with dark hair and dark eyes, and as he wore a dark grey overcoat and a slouch hat, the cadets immediately put him down for the individual mentioned to them by the storekeeper. He had a quiet smile on his face which was rea.s.suring to all of the lads.
”What is it you want to know?” questioned Fred.
”Are you the Rovers from Colby Hall--the young men who had so much to do with rounding up those Germans at Camp Barlight and capturing that hidden submarine?”
”Yes.”
”And you also helped in rounding up those other fellows who were trying to put through some deal with two men named Brown and Martell?”
”We did,” said Andy.
”It was a fine thing to do, and it shows that you fellows are true blue,” returned the man, with satisfaction.
”Are you a Secret Service man?” questioned Jack suddenly.
”Why do you want to know that, Rover?” was the counter question.
”If you belong to the Secret Service you are just the man we are looking for.”
CHAPTER XXIX
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LODGE
”So you want to see a Secret Service man, eh?” said the newcomer, after a slight pause. ”What's in the wind?”
”We think we have discovered something that the Government ought to know about,” answered Jack slowly.
”But there isn't any use of our saying anything about it unless you are really a public official of some sort or other,” broke in Randy hastily.
After this there followed quite a conversation, the newcomer leading the boys on to tell what they knew concerning the Germans at the old Parkingham house, and also what they knew about Herman Crouse and Tony Duval.
”I think I am on the right track at last,” said the man. ”And since you have told me so much I will return your confidences by stating that I _am_ a Secret Service officer. We had an idea that the Germans might try something of that sort in this vicinity, and I am pretty sure now that we are on the right track.”
”Try something of what sort?” questioned Andy.
”We received word in a roundabout way over six weeks ago that an attempt would be made by the Germans to establish a radio station somewhere along this portion of the coast. The hills back of Timminsport and Henryville would make an ideal spot for such a station.”