pair of
unscrupulous rascals by a company of real boy heroes. He threw open
the door, sprang out, and began shaking the hands of his rescuers in
grateful appreciation of what they had done for him.

"I don't know what all this means," he said; "but I've got wits
enough to understand there's been some pretty tough rascality on foot,
and you boys have done me a very great service."

"We were hiking along this way and saw those two men with guns in
their hands stop your machine" exclaimed Clifford, who thought it best
not to reveal the discovery of the note in the presence of the
chauffeur.

"You did mighty good work" declared the wealthy mine operator,
enthusiastically.

"Does your Boy Scout training teach you to use your heads so
successfully? One would think that this hold-up and the rescue were
both plotted and planned some time ahead, judging by the skill with
which you worked."

"Don't flatter us too much, uncle, or you may tempt us to help along
the deception by leading you to believe that we really are a
remarkable bunch of boys," Clifford warned, slyly.

"I not only believe it, but I know it," replied Mr. Stanlock with
stubborn generosity. "So, if I am deceived, the fault is all my own.
But, Clifford, I didn't know you were in town. When did you come? You
haven't been over at the house yet, have you?"

"No, not yet, uncle," Clifford answered, slowly. "And I'm not coming
over for a few days. The fact is, we are here on a hunting trip and a
mystery mission, and we want you to help us keep our secret. Since we
have proved ourselves to be a very unusual lot of boys, perhaps you
will take special care to favor us in this respect. We are planning a
surprise on the girls, and we don't want you to tell them we are in
town."

"My lips are sealed until you unseal them," Mr. Stanlock assured them.
"But where are you staying?"

"All of us are members of one patrol of Scouts at Spring Lake Academy,
all except Paul Hunter. We came here on an invitation from Ernie
Hunter, and we are living in a cave at the west end of Mr. Hunter's
farm."

"In a cave!" Mr. Stanlock exclaimed with some concern. "Isn't that
rather an unhealthful place for you to live? You don't sleep there, I
hope?"

"We certainly do, uncle; or, rather, we are going to, for this is our
first night. I wish you could come over and see it. It's as dry and
warm as can be. Paul dried it out by keeping a stove burning in it for
several days."

"A stov