“I guess you’re right there but I don’t think much of this wait stuff. We might wait around here for a week of Sundays without finding out anything.” Bob smiled at his brother’s enthusiasm.
“I didn’t mean that we should remain inactive. All I wish to impress on you was the futility of going off half cocked. Now I have a plan which has been growing in my mind. Look here a minute.” Bob took a large map from his pocket as he spoke.
“Now,” he continued as he spread the map out on the table, “you see here’s where the border runs between the United States and Canada. Now it strikes me that our best bet is to try to find out the place where they bring the stuff across. Of course it is possible that it is brought right through this camp, but I doubt it. You remember the captain said that they had watched here for a long time and he didn’t think that they brought it through here. It would be too risky.”
“But just how are we going to go about it?”
“Well my idea is this. You know the boundary line is marked by stones at intervals of about a half a mile so we ought to be able to keep on it pretty closely. Now we’ll tell the boss here that we’re going on a hike and get him to let us have some grub. Then we’ll follow along the border and if we find a place that looks suspicious we’ll camp near it and see if anything turns up. Oh, I know it’s taking a pretty long shot,” he added quickly as he saw a look of doubt on his brother’s face, “but it’s the best bet I can think of.”
“And it’s good enough for me,” Jack said quickly. “I was only thinking about that big Frenchman.”
“Well of course there’s a risk to it but it won’t be the first time we’ve taken them and I fancy we’ll be able to steer clear from him.”
“I suppose right away is as good a time as any other. You get the rolls made up and I’ll go see the boss about some provisions.”
As he spoke Bob was moving toward the door and was about to open it when a loud knock sounded on it. As he swung it open he gave a slight start of surprise for big Pierre Harbaugh was standing just outside.
“Good morning,” Bob said after a moment’s pause.
It was evident that the man was putting forth an effort to speak pleasantly. This was very surprising to Bob and at once put him on his guard.