With these words, the speaker took up the coat he had torn from the back of the unknown, and tossed it carelessly toward Obed.

The woods boy snatched at the garment eagerly.  Newly aroused hope could be seen upon his face.  Everybody watched to see what the outcome might turn out to be.  Steve and Bandy-legs, ready to withdraw from the circle, and resume their outside vigil, stayed their departure for a brief period in order to satisfy their curiosity.  Even the so-called Jake Storms had his fishy eyes fixed on Obed, as though it mattered something to him whether the latter learned the answer to the conundrum, or was obliged to let it pass by unsolved.

So Obed upon receiving the coat, proceeded to ram an eager hand into the pockets, one after another.  When he reached an inside one, he found a bonanza, just as Max had anticipated.  There were some papers there, as well as a bill book.  Bending down nearer the fire, so that he might the better see, Obed glued his eyes on his find.  A few seconds passed.  The fire crackled as it began to eat into the fresh fuel that had been tossed to the red embers upon the incoming of the party.  Toby grunted once or twice, and continued to ruefully rub the side of his head, his right arm, one of his thighs, and, in fact, as much of his entire person as he could conveniently cover in a short space of time.

Then Obed was heard to give a low exclamation.  His whole manner was a singular mixture of satisfaction and anger.  Evidently, he had accomplished his set purpose, and the result had aroused conflicting emotions within his breast.

“Well, have you found out who the man is, Obed?” asked Steve, unable to curb his burning curiosity.

“Yes, there’s no longer any question about it,” returned the other, bitterly, “for here are letters addressed to him.  I may even take the privilege of reading them tomorrow, for in that way I can perhaps discover some evidence that will force him to stop this ugly business.  Oh! the meanness of Robert to strike this cowardly blow at me, his own cousin!  He’s a disgrace to the whole family.”

“Pity the poor Grimeses!” exclaimed Max, looking straight at Obed, with such a queer expression on his face that presently the woods boy could not keep from bursting into a laugh.

“Max, you’re on to me; I can see!” he cried, rushing up to the other and holding out his hand eagerly.  “I’ve guessed for some time that you had your suspicions, and now I know it’s so.”

And Max, too, threw back his head to indulge in a good laugh; while Steve, Toby and Bandy-legs, with months agape, and eyes that were as round as saucers, simply gathered around’ and stared at the two who were shaking hands.

“Hey! what’s all this about, I want to know?” spluttered Steve; just as though he meant to say that no one had any business to have secrets from the rest; “looky here, Obed, since when did you forget that Grimes woods lingo you’ve been giving us right along!  I’m beginning to smell a rat, that’s what I am!”