s of the camp at Cabin Point, being left to their own
devices, set about carrying out certain tasks they had in mind.

Frank always found plenty to occupy his attention. He could discover
numerous ways of bettering the conditions of affairs, and took keen
delight in making changes calculated to lessen the friction of camp
life.

On his part Will pottered with his camera for fully an hour. When in
the end he laid it aside in working order he was satisfied with what
he had done.

"I've got it in splendid condition now, Frank," he announced, "and
from this time on there'll be no danger of a slip when the trap is
sprung. That's been bothering me a whole lot for some time now, and
I'm tickled to know the ghost is laid."

Every little while he examined the negative he had drying, as though
anxious to get a proof from it when it was in proper condition.

About eleven o'clock he came to Frank holding a browned bit of paper
on which the sun had printed a very clear picture as taken when the
flashlight cartridge burned.

"The face shows fairly well," he announced. "I'd easily enough
recognize the man if ever I ran across him, and that's something."

Frank looked long and earnestly at the proof.

"So that's our hermit, is it?" he remarked; "the old man they say acts
so queerly, and has kept to himself up there on his estate for years,
living the life of a recluse among his books and papers. There must be
some good reason for his acting that way. He's met with some sort of
terrible disappointment in life it may be; but then that's no business
of ours."

"But Frank, I was meaning to suggest something to you to-day," began
Will, looking uncertain, as though he did not know just how the other
might take the proposition he had on the tip of his tongue.

"Oh! so that's the way the wind blows, does it?" remarked Frank,
raising his eyebrows as he looked at his chum. "Somehow when you
declined to let Bluff take the camera along with him I had an idea you
were figuring on some scheme. You look like a regular conspirator,
Will. Out with it before you choke."

"Listen then, Frank; I was hoping I might coax you to go up there
again to-day when I could be along."

Frank whistled upon hearing this suggestion.

"I reckon you mean go to the hermit's place, Will?" he remarked
inquiringly.

"Yes, that's just it, Frank, and please, now, don't shut down on me
too quickly. Say you'll think it over, and let me know at noon."

Frank s