of the cabin. "I should think you
would have wanted to keep it, Pat," he ventured at length. "It might
have come in handy some time."

"'Twas too handy altogether, as it was," retorted Pat. "When you've dug
a fox out fill up his den." And with this cryptic reply Hal was forced
to be content.

Sparrer, having no rifle, insisted on carrying the fox, an honor granted
him with one accord. Very different was their entrance into Smugglers'
Hollow from their departure in the small hours of that same day, and
there was much jesting and hilarity, for their buoyant spirits had
rebounded wonderfully now that the load of anxiety and dread had been
lifted. Pat and Alec each carried a bundle of furs sufficient in
themselves to raise their spirits to a high plane, for these, added to
those they already had, assured the financial success of their
partnership.

As they came in sight of their cabin Upton called attention to a thin
vapor of smoke rising from the chimney.

"Somebody there, as sure as I'm alive and kicking," exclaimed Pat. "Now
I wonder who is paying us a visit this time."

As if in answer the door opened and a big burly form stepped forth.

"Jim! Oh, you Jim!" yelled Upton delightedly.

The big guide and lumber boss, for it was he, turned in their direction,
his weather-tanned face lighting with real pleasure. Then as they drew
nearer a comical look of wonder and perplexity crossed it. He stepped
back to the door and apparently spoke to some one inside, for a second
later another strapping big man stepped out.

"Hello!" exclaimed Pat. "That's Bill Marshman, the game warden and
deputy sheriff, who was looking for Alec last fall, and scared away the
bear the day we left Plympton to take care of camp. It's lucky for those
two chaps back there," nodding in the direction from which they had
come, "that Bill didn't get here a day sooner. They wouldn't have got
off so easy."

By this time the party had approached within easy talking distance of
the men at the cabin, who were staring at them in dumb amazement. Pat
chuckled.

"Hello, Jim! Hello, Bill!" he called. "Mighty glad to see you. Sorry
you didn't get here sooner so as to join our little expedition."

"Say," drawled the warden, "is this a war party returning from a raid?"

"You've guessed it," declared Pat, dropping his load and shaking hands
warmly with the two men. "In the absence av the constitooted authority"
(he poked his fist into the ribs of the warden