Part 41 (1/2)

”Oh, that has been easy You see, when I left hoed to me I buy necessary provisions down in one of the towns, and also do sohter of an old hunter who lived here for years, and as she did not wish to occupy it she let me have it at a very reasonable rental”

”Do you know anything of that wild er

At this direct question Lester Lawrence dropped his eyes and showed much confusion

”I am afraid I do,” he answered, shamefacedly ”The fact of themyself up in some old outfits that were left in this cabin by those who used to live here”

”But as your purpose?” questioned Luke

”I wanted to scare the folks in this vicinity, so they would not come near this cabin I was afraid if too hborhood, sooner or later sonize me and inforirls in our bungalows to death,” said Ben, bluntly

”I am very sorry for it, noas the reply ”But you see, what Phil has told me has put an entirely different face on the ers as eneuess you had a right to feel bitter, Uncle Lester,” returned Phil, who could realize how his relative had suffered ”But it's all past now, and you ive up your life here and coo home, now that I know my name is cleared,” answered Lester Lawrence ”But I can't travel just yet,” he added, ruefully, looking down at his bandaged foot

”What is the trouble?” questioned Dave, kindly

”I sprained my ankle the day I followed one of you boys--that is, I suppose it was one of your crowd I mean the chap who fell over the cliff”

”Link Merwell!” ejaculated Phil ”He is no friend of ours, he is an enemy By the way, Uncle Lester, have you seen him since then?”

”He is an enemy, you say!” cried Mr Lawrence ”Is that so? Yes, I saw hi, and I chased him away”

CHAPTER XXV

TWO DEER

”He was here, and you chased him away!” exclaimed Dave ”Have you any idea where he went to?”

”I think he took the trail back of the house; the one leading to Carpen Falls,” answered Lester Lawrence ”I slipped on my most outlandish costume, and I must have scared him out of his wits, for he ran like a deer,” he added, with a s for hiive the hunt up,” said Phil ”Finding ed matters completely What I want to do is to send word to my father that my uncle is found Then, as soon as he is able to travel, I'll leave you fellows and take him home”

”I think I'll be able to walk on the foot in a day or two,” answered Lester Lawrence ”You see I can already hobble around But that sprain was a pretty bad one, I can assure you!”

After this the situation was discussed for some time--in fact, until well after the noon hour Then one of the boys suggested that they have dinner, and while Phil and his uncle continued to talk over their personal affairs, Dave and his chu ready the meal

While all in the cabin partook of the midday meal, the boys told the hermit about their life in camp, and also of their adventures at Oak Hall and in other places Lester Lawrence listened interestedly to the recital, and asked innus, and also questioned Phil regarding conditions at home

”I'll leave the matter of that land deal entirely to your father,” he said to his nephew ”He always had a better head for business than I've got He'll know the right thing to do”

After the meal it was decided that Phil should remain at the cabin with his uncle, while the other boys returned to Bear Cae which he asked Dave and the others to send to Carpen Falls, froraph to his parents, announcing the finding of the long-lost uncle