This time the tones were so directed as to seem to come from a window on the other side of the room, and the man turned to make a dash in that direction. "Why, there's two birds!" he exclaimed. "I'll catch 'em all!" No sooner had he reached the second window than John changed the tune to that made by a bullfinch, and the man, listening, thought the bird was in the back of the apartment. He made his way there, the crowd parting to let him through, and laughing, the meanwhile, at the deluded man's actions. John was concealed from view by the throng packed close about him, or the man would have discovered the trick at once. As it was he thought sure there were several birds in the room. When he got to the rear the notes of the feathered songster seemed more distinct than ever. The man climbed up on a chair to peer behind the window curtain, and, as he did so, John, whose vocal abilities were not alone limited to birds, let out a croak like a big frog. "That's no bird!" exclaimed the man in disgust, as the crowd broke into a laugh at him. "Am I dreaming or what's the matter? Is this place haunted?" Then he caught sight of John, who was just puckering up his lips to again imitate a bird. "Oh, it's you, is it?" the man exclaimed. "Well you're a good one, all right, to fool me. I used to live in the woods and I know birds pretty well." "That's where I learned to imitate 'em; in the woods," said John, glad of a chance to rest, for his lips and mouth were aching from the strain. "Can you whistle tunes?" the man asked him. "A little." "Give us some music then. I like a good jolly song; and we'll join in the chorus." Then John poured forth his melody in a series of popular songs, for he was a good whistler, aside from his power to mimic, and, for half an hour the lodging house rang with the voices of the men, led by John's shrill notes. All this while Bart and the others kept a close lookout for Ned. They did not see him, and, when it was evident that all the inmates of the place had come under their scrutiny, the boys left, their mission unsuccessful. And so it was for several evenings. Meanwhile Ned, all unconscious of the search being made for him, was puzzling his brains as to what he had better do. He was in no immediate danger of starving, as there were several snowstorms, and he earned enough to pay for his room and live frugally. Still he knew his father and chums would worry but he did not feel he dare communicate with them. He bought the papers each day, and saw several references to the swindling operations of Skem & Skim. They had not been arrested yet, it stated, and search was being made for them and for a young fellow who was believed to have helped them in their operations by dealing in a number of shares of oil stock. "That means me," thought Ned, as he read it. "I've got to lay low yet."