kesman once more turned around. He held a silver half dollar in his
hand.

"Here's something for your trouble, boys. But look here, ain't there
another way to get to that old abandoned mill without going through the
town? To tell you the truth we lost our number away back, and might get
hauled up because we can't show a tag on the back of the car."

Paul had already noticed this significant fact. It is the business of a
scout to take note of even trifles. One of the tests of memory is to look
in at a store window for just one full minute; and then, going away, make
out as complete a list of articles it contained as is possible.

And still, he did not believe that this was the true reason these men
disliked passing through Stanhope if it could be avoided. Perhaps they
had some suspicion that Mr. Pender was visiting there; and did not want
to take chances of his meeting them face to face.

"Sure there is," broke in Jack, who saw no reason why he should not
believe the artful excuse given; for Jack did not know all his chum had
learned about these parties; "after you pass the bend yonder, just turn
to the left. You can't miss the road, for its got a big maple tree right
at the junction. We call that the Grapevine Road, because it twists and
turns so; but it will fetch you out right at the old dam, mister."

Many a time had Jack himself walked along that same winding path when
coming home with a string of bass, taken in the mill pond. It was longer,
to be sure, but there were some fine apple trees on the way; and the walk
through the dense woods was so much more enjoyable on a hot summer day
than the open stretch that marked the other route.

The man flipped the coin in the air, and as it fell at Paul's feet he
felt constrained to stoop and pick it up. To do anything else might have
aroused the suspicions of the man who stared. And at the worst it meant
another contribution toward the various funds which the boys were raising
for many purposes.

Boys as a rule have little objection about receiving "tainted money." And
while Paul understood that these men had been breaking some of the laws
of the land, he was not supposed to know the particular way in which
their money had been gained.

"Much obliged for the information, boys; and please don't report us in
town as being short a license tag. We'll get a new one just as quick as
we can. So-long!"

As the shorter fellow started the machine his companion waved his hand