"Come on, I'll show you," said Frank.
Both boys stole silently across the lot. They ran upon Sammy near some trees.
"He's just turned into the road yonder," panted Sammy.
Bob hurried to the spot where Sammy pointed. He saw a man going down the highway whom he thought he had never seen before. He was certainly a stranger to Fairview. The man had a cane, and was bent over it as if he was old or sick.
"Where did he come from?" asked Bob.
"Beyond Dolby's barn," replied Frank.
"I didn't see him near it," said Bob, "but maybe he went out of a door on the far side of the barn."
"Is he the man you know about. Bob?" asked Sammy.
"He doesn't look like it," said Bob.
"I saw him pretty plain when I sneaked over here," spoke Sammy. "He looks like a tramp."
"Hello!" broke in Bob, "that's queer."
"What is queer?" asked Frank.
"Why, just as the man came near that first house," said Bob, "he stooped more and walked more lame. That looks as if the man was playing off."
"Yes, it's sort of suspicious," said Sammy.
"Say, fellows," added Bob, "we want to keep that man in sight. He may lead us to something worth finding out!"
