at he
should be back as soon after dusk set in as possible. In order to be
sure of Dick's safety, it was agreed that if he were not back by eight
o'clock the others should come and see what was up, or if anything was
the trouble.

Dick turned up at the lean-to just as dark set in, and reported that
there was nothing stirring.

The boys were almost of the opinion that the whole business was a wild
goose chase, but Phil was determined to take a hand at watching, and it
was agreed that he should stand the morning watch, and be joined at noon
by the others, who would finish the day together.

In case nothing developed they would put an end to the watching and
start for Umculos Lake the following morning.

Phil started for his post the next morning. As he went, he said:

"I've a hunch something breaks this morning, hope my hunch comes true."

He had been gone not much more than an hour when he came tearing back,
just catching the others as they were setting out on a short hike into a
new and unexplored part of the woods.

"The mysterious occupant has come, and guess who it is!" he shouted.

"LeBlanc?" questioned Garry.

"The tramps?" hazarded Dick.

"Both wrong. It's the chap who was in the room with the old man in that
house in Bangor. The one who got away with the missing portion of the
map!"

CHAPTER XXI.

THE QUEST OF THE MINE.

"Well, talk about luck!" shouted Dick. "Let's dig back there as fast as
we can, and rescue the missing portion of the map. He cannot have found
the mine, for his part of the map was as useless to him as the part you
have, Phil, was to us."

This seemed to be the best course to pursue, for the missing portion of
the map was Phil's by every right, legally and morally, and they felt
they had a right to pursue any tactics to get it back in their
possession.

Without waiting to make any special plans, they secured their rifles and
hatchets, but dispensed with their knapsacks, and left post haste for
the old logging camp.

So fast was their hike that they were almost breathless when they
arrived within sight of it.

Calling a halt, Garry bade them get their breath back, and then proposed
a council to see what was to be done.

"I think it would be a good idea to try and pry off that window shutter.
One of us can stand guard at the front door, the other at the rear, and
the third can play with the window. In that way we can cover all
retreat. There is a possibility of his