CHAPTER VIII A STRANGE OCCURRENCE The man with the lantern advanced to the edge of the porch, holding the lantern at arm's length and shoulder high. In the flickering light Bob and Hugh could see the others putting on their overcoats. Presently there was a flash of light as the powerful searchlights of an automobile were turned on; only for a second or two, however, as they were quickly extinguished. "There's the gray roadster," whispered Hugh. The two boys were crouched behind a fallen tree, an obstruction they had been on the point of climbing when they had spied the lantern. They could hear the men walking about near the house, and frequently could even catch the sound of voices. Presently they heard the whirr of a motor. Dimmed lights were turned on in the roadster and soon it started. "Lie low," whispered Hugh. "They mustn't see us." Bob needed no cautioning on that score, however. The car rumbled toward them as if it were feeling its way. The wagon-road was some ten yards to the left of the spot where the two boys were concealed. Directly to it the roadster went, its two glowing eyes giving it the appearance of some gigantic bug. With bated breath Hugh and Bob watched its progress. Presently it passed them and lumbered away over the rough road. "How many men were in it?" whispered Hugh. "Three, I think." "There were only two when we passed it in front of your house." "I know it. There must be a couple more men here, too." "Ssh," hissed Hugh softly, grasping his companion by the wrist. Voices could be heard, coming nearer and nearer to their hiding place. Once again the two boys almost stopped breathing while they waited for the speakers to pass. They could make out two shadowy forms following the same course taken by the automobile. The two men conversed earnestly together in tones so low, that the listeners could not overhear what was said. After a few moments the sound of the voices died away and Hugh and Bob were left alone. That is, they were alone as far as they could tell. "Well," said Hugh finally. "They're gone." "Seems so," admitted Bob. "We can't be sure though." "Were those men talking German?" "I couldn't tell." "Neither could I for sure, but I thought they were." "Probably so," said Bob. "At any rate it looks to me as if there was some queer business going on in this place." "It certainly does. I wonder what's in that house?" "Shall we go and see?" "You don't catch me in that house at this time of night," said Hugh grimly. "How about coming out here to-morrow, then?" "To-morrow's Saturday, isn't it?" "Yes." "All right," said Hugh. "I'll come out with you." "And now we'd better go home." "I guess we had. It must be nearly midnight."