"Very good," said Buckner. "Can you do it in less time?"
"On foot?"
"Any way, so you get there."
"Sure," said Frank confidently. "I can make it in an hour by crossing the flats."
"Aha!" observed Buckner, "I see."
"Direct across the swamp stretch it is barely six miles to Riverton," went on Frank.
"But there's no road?"
"Except the trail us boys have blazed out from time to time," explained Frank, his eyes brightening at the memory of many a famous camping out experience in "the Big Woods." "I can bike it four miles, wade one, and there's only an easy mile stretch to come after that."
"U-um," muttered Mr. Buckner in a musing tone, half to himself. "I'd rather not excite the suspicions of a certain person already on the road, so your suggestion strikes me very good, Frank. Will you guarantee to get to Riverton first?"
"I will—with time to spare," promised Frank, readily.
"I rely on you, then. It is quite an important matter. Here is a check for two hundred dollars. It is made payable to James Pryor. He is a fire insurance adjuster at Riverton, with an office over the
