"Well, boys," began Mr. Ranquist, pleasantly, "my friend and I are very anxious to take a little trip about the valley, and we would like particularly to visit the place where the Cardiff giant was found. Can you show that spot to us?" "Of course I can," said Adrian. "It's right over there," and he pointed to a broad stretch of meadows across the valley flats about three miles off. "Over there, eh?" remarked Mr. Ranquist, "I had an idea it was back up this way," and he pointed in the opposite direction. "However, as long as it is not where I thought it was, we will defer our trip to see the resting-place of the big stone man until some other time. Mr. Dudley and I would like to get the lay of the land on this side of the hills that slope down into this part of the country," and he waved his hands toward the place where Roger had seen the two engineers at their mysterious operations. "Is there a good path up along there, and could you show us the way? We don't mind roughing it, but we dislike getting lost," finished Mr. Ranquist. "I guess we can show you all right," said Adrian. "Do you want to start now?" "I think so," Mr. Ranquist answered, so all four began their walk. Instead of going down the road toward the sulphur spring, which was the way the two engineers had taken first, Adrian suggested a shorter path. This, he said, would be to go up the Lafayette hill about a mile and then bear off to the right, where he knew of a fairly good trail. So it was decided to take this route. During the climb up the hill Roger recalled the thrilling ride down it a few months before. The boys kept slightly in advance of the men, who walked more slowly than their younger companions, for the lads, in the excess of their muscular energy, wandered from side to side in the road, going over about twice as much ground as was really necessary. But they never noticed such a little thing as that. Roger glanced back to see if the men were within earshot, and when he found they were not, he spoke to Adrian in a low voice. "Say, Adrian, is there any way of getting near the spring on your father's place from the path we are to take?" he asked. "Yes, but what do you want to do that for?" "Why, if these men are looking for a location for a railroad it might not be a bad plan to show 'em some of your father's land. They might want a bit of it, and if they gave him a good price, as I've heard railroads do, he could pay off that mortgage. No harm in trying." "Say! That's a good idea," exclaimed Adrian. "I'll do it." "Don't say anything," cautioned Roger. "Just kind of edge off in the right direction, and when we get to a certain place, I'll say something. You leave it to me." "But what's up? What do you mean?" asked Adrian, with sudden interest. "Oh, nothing in particular," answered Roger. "Look at that fox!" he shouted, quickly, as he picked up a stone and threw it at the animal. "Where? Where is it?" yelled Adrian, all excitement.