The Rover Boys in Camp | Page 6

him up?"
"I did, sir, but he got away from me."
"You must keep a close watch for those fellows," said Randolph Rover
bluntly. "I don't want any of them getting in our barn and burning it
down to the ground."
"You are right, Randolph," said Anderson Rover. "Make them keep
away from the place by all means, Jack."
"I'll keep my eye peeled for 'em," answered the hired man.
The wind was now blowing a gale, causing the trees near the farmhouse
to creak and groan, and banging more than one shutter. But the boys
did not mind this, and went to bed promptly at the usual hour.
"A storm like this on land is nothing to one on the sea," was the way
Tom expressed himself. "I don't like anything better than to listen to the
whistling of the wind when I am snug in bed."
For the time being Sam and Tom were occupying a room in the L of
the farmhouse, and Dick had a small bedchamber adjoining. The boys
were soon undressed, and, having said their prayers, hopped into bed,
and were soon sound asleep.
It was not until half an hour later that the older folks retired. Anderson
Rover was the last to leave the sitting room, where he had been busy
writing some letters at the desk that stood there.
As he was about to retire he fancied he heard a noise outside of one of
the windows. He drew up the curtain and looked through the glass, but
could see nothing.

"It must have been the wind," he murmured. "But, somehow, it didn't
sound like it."
As he stepped into the dark hallway an uneasy feeling took possession
of him--a feeling hard to define, and one for which he could not
account.
"I think I had better go around and see that all the doors and windows
are properly locked," he told himself. "Brother Randolph may have
overlooked one of them."
He walked the length of the hallway, and stepped into the kitchen and
over to a side window.
As he had his hand on the window-latch he heard a quick step directly
behind him.
He started to turn, but before he could do so he received a blow on the
head from a club that staggered him. Then he was jerked backward to
the floor.
"Silence!" muttered a voice close to his ear. "Don't you dare to make a
sound!"
"What does this mean--" he managed to gasp.
"Silence, I tell you!" was the short answer. "If you say another word, I
will hit you again!"
Having no desire to receive a blow that might render him totally
unconscious, or, perhaps, take his life, Anderson Rover said no more.
He heard a match struck, and then a bit of a tallow candle was lit and
placed on the edge of the kitchen table.
By this dim light the father of the Rover boys saw standing over him a
tall man, beardless, and with his head closely cropped. One glance into
that hardened face sufficed to tell him who the unwelcome visitor was.
"Arnold Baxter!"

"I see you recognize me," was the harsh reply. "Not so loud, please,
unless you want that crack I promised you."
"What brings you here, and at such an hour as this?"
"I find it more convenient to travel during the night than in the
daytime."
"The police are on your track."
"I know that as well you, Rover."
"What do you want here?"
"What does any man want when he has been stripped of all his
belongings? I want money."
"I have none for you."
"Bosh! Do you think I have forgotten how you and your boys swindled
me out of my rights to that mine in the far West?"
"We did not swindle you, Baxter. The claim was lawfully mine."
"I can't stop to argue the question, and I don't want you to talk so loud,
remember that. No, don't try to get up," went on the midnight visitor, as
Anderson Rover attempted to rise. "Stay just where you are."
He was feeling in his pocket, and now he brought forth a strip of cloth,
with a knot tied in the middle.
It was a gag, and he started to place it in Anderson Rover's mouth,
when the latter leaped up and began to struggle with all the force he
could command.
"Stop, I tell you!" cried Arnold Baxter softly.
"Stop!" And then, catching up his club once more, he dealt Anderson
Rover another blow, this time directly across the temple. The

gentleman wavered for an instant, gave a deep groan, and fell like a log
to the floor.
CHAPTER IV
A USELESS PURSUIT
Half an hour later Tom awoke with a start. For the moment he could