In only about twenty minutes Pierre returned. They were all
surprised to see him so soon.

"No one at cabin," said Pierre, as he came up.

"How long since has there been some one there?" asked Mr. Waterman.

"Only short time. He come back any time now."

In a few minutes they were all in the house with the exception of
Pierre, who stayed outside to keep an eye on things. As soon as they
entered Mr. Waterman and Bob at once noticed that this was no Indian's
hut nor that of the ordinary woodsman. The room was as neat as a pin.
This was rather out of the ordinary for a cabin in the woods. But what
attracted the attention of both of them was the sight of several
chemical and wireless instruments that both recognized at once.

"What's this?" said Mr. Waterman. "I'm not much on wireless, but I know
that this is part of a wireless plant."

"You're right," said Bob. "I have one of them on my aerial for my
wireless at home. This is merely for receiving."

"Now, what do you think any one would want with a wireless outfit away
back here in the woods?" asked Mr. Waterman, more to himself than to
Bob.

"Do you think it has anything to do with the great European war that is
raging at this time?" said Bob.

"That's the natural explanation, of course," said Mr. Waterman.

"But what's the use of a wireless up here?" asked Bob in his turn.

"You think that this is only a receiving station. Perhaps this is run by
some German spy to discover just when the troop ships are leaving Quebec
for England."

"If that's so," said Jack, who had not said a word so far, but who had
followed the conversation very closely, "we are likely to run into
trouble, for any one that would do a thing of this kind would not
hesitate to go to the limit."

"That's very true," said Mr. Waterman reflectively. "At the same time, I
hardly see why we should run into danger, as we are Americans."

"I think that we have to get a look at this fellow and let him know that
after a certain date we shall be obliged to let the Canadian Government
know what is going on. Otherwise, if the Canadian Police run down this
fellow, they may find out that we have been here and then arrest us as
accomplices," said Bob.

"The boy's right," said Jack. "And it would be a hanging job for us if
they proved that we knew what was going on here and did not notify the
constable."

Further conversation was cut short by a shot outside, followed almost
immediately by another. Hur