“What makes you think it was the hermit?” asked Shep.

“Because of this bit of red handkerchief.  Whopper said he saw such a bandanna around the wild man’s neck or head.”

“Gracious! so we did!” cried the doctor’s son.  “I had forgotten about it.  But do you think that wild creature took my watch?” he added anxiously.

“Yes, unless you lost it on the way here.”

“I didn’t lose it before I went to sleep, for I wound it up, same as I do every night before retiring.”

“Let us take a look around for it,” suggested Giant.

A keen search was made, but nothing that looked like a watch could be located anywhere.  Then, as they were a bit cold, the boys renewed the fire, thus adding to the light.

“If that wild man, or whatever he is, took my watch I want it back,” declared the doctor’s son.

“Do you think he’d take it to that cabin in the woods with him?” questioned Giant.

“More than likely.”

“That must be a good way from here.”

“It is.  But you would want the watch if it was yours.”

“Of course.”

The boys talked the matter over for a quarter of an hour and then laid down to sleep once more, leaving the camp fire burning brightly.  But the doctor’s son could not slumber soundly, for his thoughts were on his missing timepiece, which had been a present and a valuable one.

They were up at sunrise, and then another consultation was had.

“I’d like to look for the watch,” said Snap.  “But if we don’t get back to camp Whopper and Tommy will worry about us—–­and there is no telling what the Spink crowd will do in our absence.”

“I suppose if that hermit has it the watch will be safe for a day or two,” answered the doctor’s son thoughtfully.  “We might go back to the camp first and then make a trip to the cabin in the woods.”

So it was decided, and after a hasty breakfast they set off in the direction of the Windy Mountains.  They took the same trail as before, and on the walk kept their eyes open for game.  They managed to bring down two grouse and a squirrel, but that was all.  They reached camp an hour after sundown, much to the satisfaction of Whopper and Tommy, who came to meet them.

“Gosh! but I am tired!” said Snap as he threw his burden on the ground.  “I feel as if I wanted to rest for a week!”

“A good night’s sleep will make you change your mind,” answered the doctor’s son.

Supper was ready for them, and they sat down gladly and partook of the things provided.  During the day, to pass the time, Whopper and Tommy had baked a big pan of beans and another of biscuits, and both were good.  They had also tried their hand at baking some cake, but this was a little burned.  Yet the boys ate it and declared it was all right.  At home it might have been different, but when one is out in the woods, and doing one’s own cooking—–­well, there is no use in finding fault, that’s all.