ay explain the whole matter," said Mr. Waterman. "It is well
known that the Germans have a wonderful spy system. It is possible that
all this may have been brought in here four or five years ago for this
very purpose."

"I guess that that's the answer," replied Bob, "for it would be
absolutely impossible for any party of men to get this stuff in here
now."

On returning to the hut they took a good look around and found
everything in the best of order. There were supplies of all kinds there
except food.

"I guess that the Canadian Government got his mates all right, and that
left him stranded here as far as grub was concerned. He had his nerve
with him all right, for he was liable to be shot down at any time," said
Mr. Waterman.

They were soon on their way back. When they came to the lake they found
that the German's canoe was gone. Pierre was evidently right on his
trail, for one of the two canoes they had brought along was also
missing.

"I wonder if Jack has caught up with Pierre so soon," mused Mr.
Waterman.

"It looks that way," replied Bob, "for otherwise he would probably have
taken our canoe, knowing that we could get back to camp even without a
canoe."

"You're right," said Mr. Waterman.

They hurried on and in due time they arrived in camp. By this time it
was getting late, so they determined to go into Escoumains the next
morning and inform the authorities of their discovery. They found Bill
and Pud and Jean quite excited. In a short time they had the story in
full.

"You did not see any one around here to-day, did you?" asked Mr.
Waterman, addressing the young Indian Jean.

"No," was the reply.

"I am pretty sure that the German is making for the St. Lawrence to try
and get out of the country. Let's go over to the old trail, just to see
if any one has passed that way to-day," said Mr. Waterman.

All of them went, for the trail was only a few minutes' paddle down the
lake around a point of land that almost cut the lake in two. On arrival
there it was plain even to the unpracticed eyes of the boys that more
than one person had passed that way recently. Mr. Waterman and Jean
landed first. Jean had been on land not more than a minute before he
pointed to some tracks and said,

"Pierre here, Jack there, other man there."

They boys came over, but though they could see some tracks in the soft
trail, they did not see how Jean had identified his father and Jack at
once.

"You're right," said M