By nine o’clock the wagons were re-loaded and the march for Lake Caboy was resumed. To make sure that no further harm should befall the wagons and their drivers, the turnouts were made to keep close to the battalion. By noon the end of the lake was gained and they had their dinner at a summer hotel located there. Not far away was the hotel where the Fords were stopping, and Jack, Pepper and Andy obtained permission to run over and see Laura and Flossie. “Papa has hired a gasolene launch,” said Laura. “So you can expect to see us on the water more or less. Maybe we’ll be able to take you out—that is, if you care to go.” “Just try us and see—if we can get permission to leave camp,” answered Pepper. “Jack ought to be able to get permission—being a major,” answered Flossie. “Well, you must remember we are all under Captain Putnam’s orders,” replied the young officer. “I am in command only during drill and parade, and like that.” “Well, we’ll come up anyway, sooner or later,” said Laura; and a few minutes later the cadets had to hurry back to where they had left the others, for the drum was already rolling to call the boys together. As Jack, Andy and Pepper passed a corner of the summer hotel where the cadets had had dinner they caught sight of a tall youth just leaving the building. “Hello, there is that Bert Field!” cried Pepper. “I’ve a good mind to speak to him.” “You haven’t much time,” answered Jack. Pepper ran up to the tall, thin boy and caught him by the arm. “Hello! How are you?” he said, pleasantly. “Why—er—how do you do?” stammered Bert Field. “I want to tell you that I know where you can find the man you were looking for, Jabez Trask,” went on Pepper. “I—er—I have found him,” answered the strange boy, in some confusion. “That is—I—er—I know where he lives now.” “Yes, I thought I saw you around his mansion.” At this announcement Bert Field looked around nervously. Evidently he was a boy who was not strong physically, and one who had been “kept down” by others. He did not seem to have much of a will of his own. “I—I—How did you happen to see me?” he stammered. He was evidently ill at ease. “I can’t tell you now—I haven’t time. I’ve got to be on the march, with the rest of the cadets. We are going into camp up the lake this afternoon. And by the way, it is not far from an old deserted mill.” “What!” Bert Field was now all attention. “Yes, the Robertson mill. You are looking for that place, too, aren’t you?” “Yes. But who told you?” “Some young lady friends of mine. But I’ve got to hurry. If you come up the lake, won’t you call at our camp and see me?” “Maybe I will,” answered Bert Field. He looked keenly at Pepper then of a sudden caught his arm. “Say, you are a boy like myself and you look honest,” he went on in a low voice. “Would you—would you help me to—to—do something?” “If it was fair and square I would,” answered Pepper, readily.