“Yes, take him along,” urged Ned.

“No, I think I’ll take you, the Professor being willing,” answered Tad nodding at Rector.

Ned stopped smiling, gazing at Tad to see whether the latter were in earnest.  Tad was.

“All right, I’m willing, Tad.”

“How about it, Professor?”

“Provided you do not go into the mountains I will agree to your plan.  But I cannot consent to your taking further desperate chances.”

“I hope you will not hold me to that, Professor.”

“To what?” demanded Professor Zepplin shortly.

“To not going beyond the edge of the mountains.”

“Plainly, what is it you are planning to do, Tad?”

“I want to find out who it is that is shooting at us and why.  That is all, sir.”

“You don’t suppose it possibly could be the Germans attacking us, do you?” questioned Walter apprehensively.

The professor shook his head.

“If you will stop to think you will see how necessary it is for some one to do something,” urged Tad Butler.

“Yes; don’t let me do it all,” urged Stacy.  “I think I have done my share already.  It is high time some one else got a move on.  First thing we know we shan’t know anything.  We’ll be dead ones, and—–­”

“Very good.  Go on.  There will be no peace here unless you have your way.  See to it that you are back here in an hour.  If not we shall go after you.  Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir, I will try to get back on time.  If something should occur to keep us longer than that please don’t worry.  You know we might not be able to get away.  If we get into trouble I will signal by firing three shots into the air.  Are you ready, Ned?”

“Yes.  Do we take our arms?”

“Better leave the rifles here.  We don’t want to be bothered with them.  We’ll take our revolvers.  That will be sufficient.”

“Now, Tad, be prudent,” begged the professor.  “I know you have a level head or I should not permit you to get out of my sight under the circumstances.”

“We will be prudent, sir.  Come on, Ned; we mustn’t waste a moment now.  If we are seen to leave the camp we’ll fail.”

For answer Ned swung himself into his saddle, after first having taken the rifle from the saddle boot and fastened it to one of the packs.

“Don’t pitch the tent yet.  We must be in marching order,” directed Butler, after leaping into his saddle.  “And don’t worry about us, for we’ll be all right.”

Nodding to Ned Tad started off at a fast gallop.  But despite Tad’s cheerfulness he realized that he had taken upon himself a serious piece of work, one that might be the death of both.  Still, he was nothing daunted.  He was determined to go to the bottom of the mystery, whatever the cost might be to himself.

Tad knew also that he could depend upon Ned Rector, for Ned was brave and resourceful, a boy who would keep his head in an emergency.