the housekeeper of the hermit.

She looked more or less frightened at first, and no wonder, because
such a resounding knock as Frank had given might have seemed backed by
authority. When she discovered just two friendly looking boys standing
there astonishment crept over the features of the woman.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" she asked a little sharply, as
though annoyed because they had given her such a sudden start.

"My name is Frank Langdon, and this is my chum, Bluff Masters. We are
camping for our holidays down in the old cabin on the Point. We ran
out of butter and eggs, and came up here hoping we might be able to
buy some."

Frank made it as simple as he could. He did not even mention the fact
that they had ever heard there was such a singular person as Aaron
Dennison in all the wide world. It was his intention to appear as
though he looked upon this place as an ordinary farmhouse, where
hospitality might be supposed to abide, and a friendly call on the
part of decent boys would not be taken amiss.

The woman looked a little more keenly at Frank, but at the same time
she shook her head in the negative. Bluff grunted to himself. He took
that as a bad sign, and immediately concluded that they would have to
go back to camp with as empty hands as they had come.

"Nothing doing," was what Bluff was saying to himself just then, while
the old housekeeper hesitated; "she's got her orders. Old Aaron
doesn't fancy boys, I guess. We'll be mighty lucky if he doesn't see
fit to order us out of that cabin we've gone to all the trouble to fix
bang-up."

Then the housekeeper spoke.

"I'm sorry, but you mustn't expect to get anything here. This place
belongs to Mr. Aaron Dennison. No doubt you have heard of him. He has
lived here almost alone for many years now, and will brook no
intrusion. That is why the fence has been built around the estate,
with the wire on top, and locked gates. How did you get inside?"

"We came to a loose board and passed through, not meaning any harm,"
replied Frank, who imagined the old housekeeper was inclined to be
human, but having her strict orders from her employer dared not act in
a friendly manner toward them.

"I shall have to report your being here to Mr. Dennison, and I am
afraid that he will be very much annoyed. He would never brook
intruders, and has a violent temper when aroused. I hope you will go
away at once, and come no more."

"Then you can't let us have any su