"I am awfully glad you came," said Dora, in a low voice, when she was alone with Dick and Tom. "I have something important to tell you, something I didn't wish to mention in front of mamma, for it will only worry her without doing any good." "And what is it?" asked Tom and Dick, in a breath. "I was down to Cedarville yesterday to do some shopping, and I am almost certain that I saw Dan Baxter hanging around the hotel there." "Dan Baxter!" ejaculated Dick. "Hush, Dick! not so loud. Yes, Dan Baxter. He was on the hotel stoop, but the minute he saw me he went inside." "Perhaps you are mistaken," said Tom. "I hardly think he'd dare to show himself here." "At first I was uncertain about it. But when I came back that way I looked again, and I caught him peeping out at me from one of the bar-room windows. As soon as he saw me look he dodged out of sight." "If Dan Baxter is in this neighborhood, he is here for no good," was Dick's blunt comment. "Evidently he has not forgiven us for helping to put his father back in jail." "Dan Baxter is not of a forgiving nature, Dick. You must be careful, or he will make trouble for all three of you." "We can take care of ourselves, Dora. If only he doesn't annoy you and your mother." "I don't think he'll do that--now Mr. Crabtree is out of it," answered Dora, and then, as Mrs. Stanhope re-entered the room, the subject was dropped. CHAPTER VII. SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE. Despite the stirring events which had just passed the Rovers managed to pass a pleasant evening at the Stanhope cottage. This was in a large measure due to Dora, who did all she could to entertain them and make them forget their troubles. All played games, and Dora played the piano and sang for them, while Dick and Tom also took a hand at the singing. Sam could not sing, and declared that he was certainly getting a cold, whether from being in the storeroom or not. At ten o'clock the boys retired, to a large bed chamber containing a double bed and a good-sized cot. They were soon undressed, and after saying their prayers dropped asleep and slept soundly until seven in the morning. When they arose a surprise awaited them. On the ground outside the snow lay to the depth of a foot or more, and it was still showing as heavily as ever. "Hullo! we are snowed in!" exclaimed Sam, as he gazed out on the whitened landscape. "Sure enough," returned Dick, and added: "This looks as if Captain Putnam might not come back to-day," "If that's the case, I vote we stay here," put in Tom. "I'm sure Mrs. Stanhope will keep us." It was found that Sam's cold had attacked him in earnest. He was very hoarse, and complained of a severe pain in the chest. "You'll have to do something for that cold," said Dick. "Better stay in bed this morning, and let Mrs. Stanhope put a plaster on your chest."