His heart was beating rapidly as he peered intently at the men. They had now drawn close to the camp and again had stopped to make certain that their approach had not been discovered. Still moving silently they began to circle the place, moving in opposite directions. Several times each stopped to examine what he had discovered in the pockets of a coat he had found. Apparently, however, the search was not altogether satisfactory. After they had completely circled the camp, noiselessly as they had approached the two men withdrew. It was evident that they had taken nothing of value and Fred indeed was almost ready to conclude that he had been dreaming or that his eyes had deceived him. The silence was still unbroken save by the occasional sigh of some heavy sleeper. The passing clouds were still reflecting the light of the moon and in the dim light Fred again thought he perceived the approach of the two crouching men. In a moment, however, he was convinced that he was mistaken. Had he made the same mistake before? Had he thought he had seen, without actually seeing, two men creep into the camp? Almost convinced that he had been dreaming, Fred did not awaken any of his comrades, thereby escaping any ridicule that might be heaped upon him for disturbing their slumbers and in a few minutes was himself again soundly asleep. CHAPTER V A START AND A LOSS When morning came Fred was still uncertain whether his experience of the preceding night had been a dream or a reality. As he glanced at the enthusiastic countenances of his friends he was almost convinced that what he had seen had been the shadowy figures of a dream. Besides he was fearful of the bantering which the Go Ahead Boys might bestow upon him if it was discovered that there was no basis for his statement. However, as Fred deemed the matter too important to be entirely ignored, he said while the boys were seated about the improvised table, "Were any of you fellows up last night?" "Not guilty," laughed George. "I was asleep almost before I had stretched out." The other two boys also declared that their slumbers had not been disturbed and that neither had wandered about the camp. "What's the trouble, Freddie?" laughed Grant. "You act either as if you don't believe us or something happened." "Well, I'm not sure, but something did happen," said Fred slowly. "What was it? Tell us your story," demanded John. "Either I dreamed or else I surely saw two men moving about the camp. There was a moon and the place was almost as light as day." "Who were the men?" demanded Grant. "Perhaps they weren't 'men' at all," replied Fred, who was certain now that he was safe from ridicule. "Do you think they were our visitors?" "Yes," replied Fred promptly, "that's exactly what I do think." "What were they doing?" asked John. All the Go Ahead Boys were now deeply interested in Fred's statement and eager to hear what more he might say.