“He was last seen in this neighborhood.” “What’s his name?” “Hardy.” “What does he look like?” “Tall and dark. He was wearing a grey suit and a grey cap.” “Ain’t been nobody around here since we moved in,” said the red-headed man gruffly. “No, we didn’t see him,” snapped the woman. “You boys had better go and look somewhere else.” There was nothing to be gained by arguing with the unsociable trio, so the boys started to leave. But Frank, who had edged close to the open door during the course of the conversation, had glanced into the kitchen and something had caught his eye. It was a gray cap, hanging on a peg! CHAPTER XII POINTED QUESTIONS Frank thought quickly. He must ascertain the truth! The cap, he was almost sure, was the one his father had worn on the morning he had left home. But he wanted to look at it closely, because he knew he might be mistaken and that it would not do to make any accusations unless he were sure of his ground. “I’m very thirsty,” he said quickly. “Do you mind if I have a drink?” Redhead and the woman looked at one another without enthusiasm. It was plain that they wished to get rid of their visitors as soon as possible. But they could not refuse such an innocent and reasonable request. “Come into the kitchen,” said Redhead grudgingly. This was just what Frank wanted. He followed the man into the kitchen of the Polucca place. Redhead pointed to a water tap. A dipper was hanging from a nail near by. “Go ahead,” he grunted. Frank went over to the tap and as he did so he passed the cap on the peg. He took a swift look at the cap. He had made no mistake. It was his father’s. Then he received a shock that almost stunned him. For a second he almost stopped in his tracks, but then he recollected himself and moved mechanically on toward the tap. He had seen bloodstains! On the lower edge of the cap were three large stains, reddish in color. They could have been made by nothing but blood. In a daze, Frank turned on the water, filled the dipper and drank. At last he turned away, conscious that Redhead had been eyeing him carefully all the time. “Thanks,” he said, and again cast a glance at the peg. The cap was gone! Redhead had undoubtedly snatched it away and hidden it. Frank gave no sign that he noticed anything amiss, and walked out of the kitchen into the yard, where he rejoined the others. “I guess we may as well be going,” he said. “You might as well,” snapped the woman. “There’s been no strangers around here.” “We’re sorry we troubled you,” said Joe. “Good-bye.” Redhead grunted a curt farewell. The woman and the other man said nothing as the boys turned away and retraced their steps out to the lane. For a while they walked on in silence and then, when they were out of sight of the house, Frank turned to the others. “Do you know why I went into the kitchen?” he asked. “Why?” they demanded eagerly, and Joe put in: