"He certainly fooled us," answered Mr. Laning. "I suppose those yells were only to put us off our guard. It's a pity we didn't carry his hat off for a souvenir of the occasion—as you youngsters put it." And the farmer grinned.
"Perhaps he is still around," suggested Dick. "If he tried to fool us once he might try to fool us again."
"That's so, too. It won't do any harm to take a good look around while we are at it, Dick."
They spent the whole of the morning walking around the swamp and in trying to trace the movements of Merrick, but without success. Nothing concerning the rascal was to be found, and when they felt both tired out and hungry they returned to the Stanhope cottage. Here the girls and the ladies had a hot dinner awaiting them and served them liberally, finishing up with apple pie that Dora had made for Dick's especial benefit.
"It's fine!" he said to her, on the sly.
"Then you like it?" she answered, with a smile.
"Do I? Dora, when we're keeping house you shall make me a pie like this twice a week," he added, earnestly.
"Dick, if you don't stop your joking"
"Oh, I'm not joking, Dora. Of course, if you're not willing to make me a pie now and then"
