"Alger Jr, Horatio - Joe the Hotel Boy" - читать интересную книгу автора (Alger Horatio Jr)

They waited a few minutes longer and then Ned suggested that they
look into the window of the lodge once more. The hermit's boy
was willing, and they approached the larger building with
caution.

Much to their astonishment the two strangers had disappeared.

"Hullo! what do you make of that?" cried Ned, in amazement.

"Perhaps they are in one of the other rooms," suggested Joe.

At the risk of being caught, they entered the lodge and looked
into one room after another. Every apartment was vacant, and
they now saw that the fire in the fireplace had been stamped out.

"They must have left while we were in the woodshed," said Ned.

"Maybe they are out on the lake," answered the hermit's boy, and
he ran down to the water's edge, followed by his companion. But
though they looked in every direction, not a craft of any kind
was to be seen.

"Joe, they didn't take to the water, consequently they must have
left by one of the mountain paths."

"That is true, and if they did they'll have no nice time in
getting through. All the bushes are sopping wet, and the mud is
very slippery in places."

They walked to the rear of the lodge and soon found the
footprints of the two strangers. They led through the bushes and
were lost at a small brook that ran into the lake.

"There is no use of our trying to follow this any further," said
Joe. "You'll get your clothing covered with water and mud."

"I don't intend to follow," answered Ned. "Just the same, I
should like to know more about those fellows."

"I wish I had seen their faces."

"Yes, it's a pity we didn't get a better look at them. But I'd
know their voices."

By the time they gave up the hunt the sun was shining brightly.
Both walked to where the boat had been left, and Joe turned the
craft over so that the water might run out. Then he mopped off
the seats as best he could.