You're not afraid to stay here with him; are you? I'll leave Maybe with you."
"Afraid? Of course not!" cried Sammy. It was broad daylight. Why should they be afraid?
True, the mysterious old mansion was not far away, and the strange things in the secret room had not been explained. But the boys made up their minds they would not be alarmed.
"I'll come back as soon as I can," said Mr. Jessup. "If he wakes up you might give him a drink of water. Or you could make coffee. You know how, and I see he has the things here. Yes, a good strong cup of coffee might help him. Now don't worry. Maybe, you're to stay with the boys."
The dog whined, and evidently wanted to go with his master, but he obeyed well, and, with a bark of protest, he lay down on the cabin floor.
Mr. Jessup, who had his skates with him, started for the lake, intending to skate to the mainland after a physician. He could come back with the doctor in a cutter, for the ice was thick enough to bear the weight of a horse.
Left to themselves, the boys sat in the cabin with the old, unconscious man. He breathed heavily but did not open his eyes. Once in a while he groaned.
"I wonder if we hadn't better make the coffee," suggested Bob, after a bit. "If he could take some of that he might feel much better."
"Good idea," said Sammy. "Let's start a fire. It's cold in here, anyhow."
There was a stove and an open fireplace, the latter in the other room of the cabin. Some logs were set aglow on the hearth, and a roaring blaze kindled in the stove. The kettle was put on, and soon a fragrant pot of coffee was ready.
The boys were talking over whether they had better not try to get some of the hot beverage between the set lips of the
