"We can watch here for a while," returned Dick. They sat down on a rock and waited, in the meantime discussing the strange situation. They could reach no conclusion but that Josiah Crabtree had some plot he wanted to put into execution. "And it's something underhand, too," was Dick's comment. At last they grew tired of waiting and almost fell asleep. This being the case they returned to the hotel and made their way to the bed chamber. Soon each was sleeping soundly. When they awoke the sun was shining brightly--and it was half-past seven o'clock. "All up!" shouted Tom, and dragged Sam out by the foot. Soon they were dressed and made their way to the dining room. They had scarcely seated themselves when Josiah Crabtree came in and was shown to a seat directly opposite the boys. He did not notice them at first and began to eat a dish of oatmeal silently and rapidly. Tom nudged Sam, and the younger Rover nudged his oldest brother, and a snicker went up. At this Josiah Crabtree glanced at them carelessly. Then he started back in amazement. "Why--er--why--ahem--so it is you!" he stammered. "I--er--where did you come from?" "We came from our bedroom," answered Tom promptly. "Where did you come from, Mr. Crabtree?" "Why--er--don't be impertinent, Rover. I might say that I came from my bedroom too." "I thought you came from the river," remarked Dick carelessly. "From the river? "Yes." "You are--ahem, mistaken, my lad. I have not been near the river--at least, not since I came up from New York on the boat." "Stopping here for the summer?" put in Sam. "I do not know as that is any of your business, Samuel. I am no longer a master at Putnam Hall and when I left that place I washed my hands of all those connected with that place." "A good thing for the Hall, sir," came from Tom. "Don't be insulting, Rover. You go your way and I'll go mine." "As you please, sir. You spoke to us first." "I'll take good care and not do it again. But this looks as if you were following me up." "That's what Mumps said," cried Sam, before he had stopped to think twice. "Ha! So you have met Mum--I mean John Fenwick?" "We met him on the river." "And he said you had been following him?" "Never mind, Mr. Crabtree, we won't talk any more," put in Dick, with a warning glance at Sam. He turned to the waiter. "Some fish, please, trout; and see that the biscuits are warm." "Yes, sah," grinned the negro. Tom at once took the cue. "It's going to be a warm day," he said to Dick. "I wonder how sailing was last night," put in Sam slyly. At this Josiah Crabtree looked as black as a thundercloud. "You boys have been playing the sneak on me!" he cried. "Take my advice and beware of what you do in the future." "I wasn't talking to you," retorted Sam. "Kindly keep your remarks to yourself."