hop. Perhaps he believes it's
unguarded, and expects to get a chance to spy around. Now, what do you
think it all means? Oh! I wish we had started back long ago. What if
the boys fall to his dope, and let him see everything with those sharp
eyes of his? Frank, let's be going home!"

CHAPTER VIII

MYSTERIOUS MR. MARSH AT IT AGAIN

"What's the hurry?" remarked Frank, who seemed much more composed than
his chum.

"Why, think of the impudence of that man!" burst out Andy. "Taking
advantage of our being away, to prowl around our shop."

"Now you're guessing, you know. He may be only intending to call on
us. Anyhow, it's no use to think of trying to get there in time. We
just couldn't do it. And besides, Larry and Elephant are there, and we
don't think they're fools, do we?" Frank remarked, as he again used the
glasses.

"There, didn't he go inside the shop?" demanded Andy, straining his
eyes to see what went on far below.

"That's so; but Larry promptly walked him out again. They're talking
right now in front of the door, and the other two fellows fill the
doorway," Frank reported.

"I just bet he'll pull the wool over their eyes, and get in again. I
know he's a soft talker, and can blarney to beat the band. Oh! if we
could only shout loud enough to make them hear. Or if we had our
wigwag flags along with us," and Andy actually groaned with the
suspense.

"Come, let up, old fellow," observed Frank. "What's the use worrying
like that? You know we fixed things, so even if he got in again he'd
see precious little to give him any satisfaction. There, Larry is
walking away from the door with him. Give him credit for being sharp
enough to see through a grindstone that has a hole in it, will you?"

"Bully for Larry; he's all to the good!" exclaimed the other. "But
tell me what's doing now, Frank."

"The gentleman is holding out his hand, and Larry takes it. So I
reckon they didn't have any hard words," Frank answered, quickly.

"And is he going away?" demanded Andy.

"Seems like it. There, he stops and looks around, as if he might be
interested in our field, and arrangements for tryouts."

"I hope he don't turn back again, and force his way in; you know he
could easy enough do that, Frank; because they're only three boys, and
two of 'em hardly worth counting," Andy observed, anxiously.

"Nothing doing," commented Frank. "He's started again for the road,
where the car stands. Here, t