eemed to be no one
within miles of them.

While they talked, however, a shadow fell on the oblong bit of
light which marked the entrance, and a tall figure with one
bandaged wrist, leaning on the barrel of a rifle, stood gazing down
upon them with hatred flashing from his eyes.

"It's Antoine!" whispered Will.

"Yes, and he won't do a thing to us now!" whispered Tommy.

CHAPTER XVI

ANTOINE ON THE RUN

Antoine regarded the boys steadily for a moment without moving a
muscle. Will and Tommy believed that the fellow meant mischief,
and were wondering if they would be able to get their automatics
from their pockets before he could bring his rifle to a shooting
level.

One question had at least been answered. The boys had been
wondering ever since settling at the cabin whether Antoine had not
taken his departure from that country. His presence there at that
time answered this question in the most uncomfortable manner. The
man was evidently there on a mission not to be interfered with by
so simple a thing as a broken wrist.

"Well, boys," Antoine said in a moment, his face relaxing into a
smile which was far more terrifying than the previous look of
hatred, "it seems that we have come together again!"

"Welcome to our midst!" grinned Tommy.

Antoine eyed the lad keenly for an instant and then turned his eyes
toward Will.

"What are you doing in this country?" he asked.

"Fishing and bunting!" was the reply.

"Hunting for what?"

"Do you think we're looking for a forty story skyscraper?" demanded
Tommy.

Again Antoine glanced sharply at the boy, but seemed determined not
to give the slightest attention to his irrelevant observation.

"Who sent you here?" he asked of Will.

"Gee-whiz!" exclaimed Tommy angrily. "Is this the third degree?"

"How long are you going to remain here?" asked Antoine, without
paying any attention to the boy's question.

"Gee!" exclaimed Tommy. "You make me think of the stories of
little Clarence in the newspapers! You're the original little
interrogation point."

"You'd better answer my questions!" thundered Antoine, losing his
temper at last.

Now this was exactly what Tommy had been hoping for. Antoine angry
might prove to be more communicative than Antoine in a pleasant
temper.

"Will you answer a few of my questions?" asked Will, wondering if
it would be possible for him to spring upon the trapper and bring
him down before his rifle could be brought into use