“There they are!” cried Dale, on seeing them. He ran up, followed by the others. “Where in the world did you go to?” he questioned. “Went into the water,” answered Andy, pointing to his uniform. “Got a free bath.” “Well, I never!” burst out another cadet. “No wonder we missed you!” “How far did you follow us?” asked Pepper. “Almost to the old mill. But some of the fellows wouldn’t go there, so we went in a semi-circle, but we couldn’t find the scent anywhere.” “We tumbled into the water before we knew it,” said Pepper, telling the plain truth. “And we had an awful time getting out, for the current carried us quite a distance. We are wet through and through and want to get to camp as soon as possible, to change our clothing.” “I don’t blame you,” said Dale. “Well, this ends the game,” he added, to his followers. The whole crowd returned to the camp, and Andy and Pepper lost no time in taking a good rubbing down and in changing their raiment. The others thought they had simply slipped into the river and did not ask for particulars. Nevertheless, that evening, when they got the opportunity, Andy and Pepper gave Jack and Dale the details. “Well, that is certainly queer,” was the comment of the young major. “Some wicked person must be hanging out at that old mill. But for what purpose?” “Maybe it’s a counterfeiters’ den,” said Dale. “I don’t know what it is,” said Pepper. “But somehow I’ve got one idea fixed in my mind and I can’t get it out.” “What is it, Pep?” asked Jack. “I think old Jabez Trask is mixed up in it. You’ll remember how he acted at his mansion. Well, isn’t this a good deal like that?” “Perhaps, but what would Trask be doing at the old mill?” “I don’t know. He may be trying to keep others from going there.” “But why? An old, tumble-down mill like that is of no account. I doubt if there is anything about the place worth stealing. A thief couldn’t take the ground, and that is all there is of value.” “Well, we’ll learn what this Bert Field has to say,” said Andy. “Wish we could all meet him,” came from Dale, who was now as much interested in the mystery as anybody. “Perhaps we can,” said Pepper. “Anyway, I can ask him about it.” Promptly at the time appointed, Andy and Pepper went off to meet Bert Field. They had mentioned an old tree with a broken limb, and they found the strange boy there, pacing the ground nervously. He gave a start when Andy called to him, but when he recognized them he called up a faint smile. “He is as nervous as a cat,” whispered Andy. “Perhaps he has good cause to be,” was Pepper’s answer. As soon as the cadets reached Bert Field, they mentioned Jack and Dale and the strange boy said they might be summoned if desired. Andy let out a shrill whistle, which Dale answered, and soon the latter and the young major appeared, and the whole crowd walked along the shore road and sat down on a grassy bank in the starlight.