Part 38 (1/2)

”How did he get his leg broken?”

”He didn't tell us a word about it,” answered Nappy ”There is so queer about the whole transaction But he said he ot on his mind, I don't know”

The Rovers hardly knehat to do They were unarmed, and the place certainly looked like a lonely one They wondered if it would be possible for Carson Davenport and his crowd to be at the house waiting for theo ahead,” Jack said ”We'll follow behind Andto be afraid of,” Slugger assured hi darkness They walked up to the lonely house, and disappeared around a corner of the building

”Say, Jack, this doesn't look right to me at all,” announced Fred ”I wish I had a pistol”

”I' to arm myself with a club,” said Randy, and looked around for such a weapon

The others did the sa the their eyes wide open for the appearance of anything that ht around the place,” announced Jack, as they drew closer

”I wonder what becaer?” broke in Fred ”I don't see theested Andy

”Let us walk around the house first,” returned his twin ”Theyaround here use the back door for everything”

With added caution the Rover boys walked slowly around one side of the building In the rear they found everything as dark and deserted as in the front

”This is certainly strange,” announced Jack He advanced and knocked sharply on the closed door

There was no reply, and he knocked a second time Then Randy beat upon the door with his stick

”It looks to me as if there wasn't a soul in the place,” announced Andy

”I wonder what has becoer?”

”See here, will you?” cried Fred suddenly ”It looks to me as if nobody lived here Every one of the s is boarded up on the inside I believe this house is being used for nothing but a storehouse I don't believe a soul lives here”

”hello, Nappy! hello, Slugger!” called out Jack loudly ”Where are you?”

To this call there was no reply

CHAPTER XXIV

dick ROVER'S REVELATION

”We've been tricked!” exclaimed Randy

”Just what I think!” burst out Fred ”They didn't bring us here to see Gabe Werner at all!”