ess. After that he got queer and took to the
woods."

"Let us go in and see him," said Tom, whose curiosity was aroused. He
walked boldly up to the hut and knocked loudly on the dilapidated door.

"Who is that, Pop?" he heard somebody ask, in a startled voice.

"I don't know, sir," was the answer, in the voice of an old man.

"I don't want to see anybody," went on the first speaker. "Send him
away, whoever he is."

"Go away!" cried the old man. "I don't want anybody around here."

By this time all of the party outside were at the door. Tom's face
showed that he was laboring under sudden surprise.

"Evidently the old man doesn't want visitors," was Dick's comment.

"There is somebody else in there with him," whispered Tom. "From his
voice I should say it was Bill Dangler!"

CHAPTER XXIV

A CAPTURE AND A SURPRISE

The others were much astonished by what Tom said, and they could
scarcely believe that they had heard aright.

"Bill Dangler!" cried Sam, but Tom put his hand over his brother's mouth
to silence him. Then he nodded vigorously.

"What would that freight thief be doing here?" questioned Dick, in a
whisper.

"I am sure I don't know. But I am almost certain it was Dangler's voice.
If you will remember, it has a certain shrillness to it."

"Yes, I know that."

During this talk there were murmurs in the cabin which those outside
could not understand. Then the old man came towards the door and slipped
a bolt into place.

"I want you to go away!" he said sharply. "I don't like strangers around
here."

"We won't hurt you, Mr. Derringham," said Dick. "We came to pay you a
friendly visit."

"Wouldn't you like a nice rabbit from us?" asked Tom, bound to get into
the cabin somehow.

"I have no money with which to buy rabbits."

"We'll make you a present of one," said Sam.

"I want no presents from anybody. I want you to go away," said the old
man, in a high-pitched, nervous tone.

"Mr. Derringham, don't you remember me?" asked Jack Ness. "I used to buy
herbs and watercress from you. I'd like to speak to you for a minute."

"Who are you?"

"I am Jack Ness, the man who works over on the Rover farm."

"The Rover farm!" muttered a voice in the cabin. "Don't let them in!
Don't you do it!"

"I am sure that is Dangler!" cried Tom, whose ears were on the alert.
"If he is really there we have him cornered!"

"Yes, and he shan't get away from us again," added Dick.

"If he tries it we can