Part 31 (1/2)

”I guess the tramp might tell us something,” suggested Grant.

”The tramp?” inquired Mr. Sanders. ”What tramp?”

In response to his questions the boys related all their experiences with the strange man whom they had found in the old Meeker House. The part which he had taken in the return of the lost automobile was also explained and in response to George's suggestion that his father should reward the man for the return of the car his father quickly inquired, ”But what was he doing away up beyond Tuxedo? I thought you said he made his headquarters here in the old Meeker House.”

”He does, part of the time,” explained John.

”But what was he doing up there so far away?” inquired Mr. Sanders sharply. ”You know I sent you word that there was a possibility that a car which had been located in a garage at Newburgh might be the one which we had lost. What was he doing up there? How did he travel so far and so fast?”

”He explained to us,” said John, ”that he had got a ride most of the way. In fact I think he said that he didn't have to walk over half a mile. He stole a ride on the cars and then somebody took him in his automobile and brought him farther.”

”Did he say what he was doing up there?” inquired Mr. Sanders.

”No, sir,” replied George.

”But you say he was a very skillful driver?”

”Yes, sir,” spoke up John promptly. ”I never saw a man that could handle a car better.”

”I think we must look into this more fully,” said Mr. Sanders, ”but it may be that he is the one who may know more about the loss of our car than we think and I'm sure he could explain a part at least of the origin of the fire at the old Meeker House.”

”Do you think he set it on fire?” demanded Fred.

”Probably not, at least intentionally,” replied Mr. Sanders, ”but it may be that he was the one who had the flash-light and he may have set fire to the old building without intending to do so.”

”Well,” spoke up John, ”I'm sorry we shan't ever find out about that tooting of the automobile horn that we heard in the old building and the flash that we saw. Why, the fire seemed to be all over the building at once and then die out in every room just as quickly as it came.”

”I think we shall know more about it,” said Mr. Sanders quietly.

”Meanwhile the best thing for us to do is not to do anything to-night.”

After the arrival of the boys at George's home the excitement still continued and for two hours the boys remained on the piazza talking over the experiences of the night. Much of the mystery of the old house was still unexplained.

”Well, all I can say is,” declared Fred, as the boys at last arose to go to their rooms, ”that if the old cowboys and skinners came back to the old Meeker House to carry on their pranks they'll have to seek other quarters now.”

”I think you will find that your cowboys and skinners are pretty well up to date,” laughed Mr. Sanders. ”And you'll find too that they are clothed in very substantial flesh. I have been suspicious for a long time that the tramps were using the old house for a sort of headquarters, but I was not sure of it until you told me the story of the man with whom you had had some dealings. We'll all go over there the first thing to-morrow morning and perhaps we shall find some things that will help us to make the others clear.”

Accordingly, soon after breakfast the following day, the four Go Ahead boys, together with Mr. Sanders, departed for the place where the fire had occurred the preceding evening.

When they arrived, smoke was still rising from the ashes, but the flames had long since died away. No one was near the spot and as the boys approached the ruins, Mr. Sanders said, ”I wish our friend, the tramp, would come.”

”Why do you want him?” inquired George.

”I think he is the man who can give us the information we most want just now. I do not recall that I ever saw him.”

”He's a strange man,” said George quickly. ”He looks like a tramp and yet he uses good English and he shows that he has been used to better things some time in his life.”

”Did he tell you that?” laughed Mr. Sanders.

”I don't know that he said that exactly, but that's what he made me think.”