or Will" might expect. The cabin was now
close at hand. Frank could see that the door was ajar, as though
inviting the passerby to enter without the formality of knocking.

"Huh!" Bluff was heard to grumble, as he, too, discovered this fact.

Approaching the window, Frank leaned forward and took a first peep. He
did not say a single word, although very much surprised at what he
saw; but simply made room for Will, who in turn moved slightly on so
that the others might also see.

The wooden shutter, which had been repaired as well as possible, even
when closed left a slight gap, and through this hole it was possible
for one outside to survey the whole interior of the cabin.

A single figure sat in the most comfortable chair the cabin boasted.
The lantern had been lighted, and hung so that its rays illuminated
the interior of the place fairly well.

None of the boys had the slightest difficulty in recognizing the
person they were looking at through the window. It was Gilbert
Dennison.

Somehow or other it seemed that none of the chums had once considered
Gilbert when trying to guess who could be in the cabin. When they now
discovered him sitting there, and apparently waiting for them to come
in, a great load seemed to be lifted from their hearts.

At least poor anxious Will was heard to give a long sigh of relief.
His worst fears were dissipated when instead of some messenger from
Centerville he discovered Gilbert Dennison sitting there, watching and
waiting.

Frank was also well pleased at the discovery. At the same time there
flashed into his mind a conviction that it must be something beyond
the ordinary desire to visit them that had brought Gilbert there.

None of the boys paid quite as much attention to secrecy as before. It
was different now, since they knew a friend occupied their cabin, and
not a party of dusty tramps, who had been making free with their
supplies.

Apparently the sound of their footsteps must have reached the ears of
the one inside, for as Frank pushed back the door he found Gilbert on
his feet. Also, he seemed to be crouching there as much in the shadows
as possible; and really his whole attitude struck Frank as
astonishing.

As Frank and then Bluff, Jerry and Will pushed into the cabin Gilbert
looked at first a little surprised and disappointed; but he instantly
raised his hand to indicate silence, and at the same time pressed a
finger on his lips.

These mysterious actions astoni