that's an old shack that really belongs on this place,"
explained Mr. Apgar, "but there's a dispute as to the title, so no
one really knows who owns it. 'Tain't much 'count, anyhow. But you
say he was livin' in it?"

"He had it partly furnished, at any rate," said Alice. "It could be
fixed up and made into a lovely little bungalow."

"Well, you folks kin do that if you like," offered Sandy. "I kin have
it fixed so that fellow won't stay there. He's got no rights: only a
squatter."

"I think we'd feel safer here," returned Ruth, with a smile. "That
man might come back unexpectedly."

"I think I'll go up there to-morrow and have a look around,"
suggested Russ. "I'd like to see more of that cabin by daylight."

"And I'll go with you," offered Sandy. "I'm gittin' real interested
in this chap."

But when they went up early next morning they found the place
deserted, and no signs of the strange man. There was evidence that he
had packed up some of his things, for the bed clothing was gone, with
some of the cooking utensils the girls had seen in the kitchen.

"He's stolen a march on us," declared Paul, grimly.

"Probably took fright because the girls located his hiding place,"
said Russ.

"And I reckon he is in hidin' for some reason or other," remarked
Sandy. "I wish I could have him arrested!"

"What for?" Russ wanted to know. "I'm afraid you'd have hard work to
make a charge that would hold. So far he hasn't done anything that we
know of."

"He could be held as a trespasser," spoke Paul. "He was in the Apgar
barn; wasn't he?"

"Yes, I suppose so."

"That fellow's up to more than jest trespassin'," declared Sandy.
"He's got some motive, and I'm goin' to find out what it is."

But for the present this was out of the question. The man was gone,
and none at Oak Farm knew his whereabouts. The only thing they could
do was to wait until he showed himself again.

"But having a dog was a new one," said Russ. "That is, if it was his
the girls saw."

But even on this point they could not be sure. They returned to the
house, for Russ had to make several films that day.

Several acts of one of the plays were to take place in the woods, and
Russ had found a spot, not far from the lonely cabin, where there was
the proper background of trees and hills.

Thither the company went that afternoon, and after a little
rehearsal, Mr. Pertell gave the word for the real action of the drama
to begin.

Miss Pennington and M