The boys looked at one another in consternation.
They had expected to find the same sinister and deserted place they had visited previously. Instead, they had arrived on a scene of domestic peace and comfort. They could not understand it.
"Not much use staying in hiding," whispered Frank. "Let's get together and walk right up and question these people."
He gave a low whistle, then emerged from the bushes into the lane. His companions followed. In a short time they were joined by Joe and the other boys.
All were deeply puzzled by the remarkable change that had come over the Polucca place.
"This beats anything I ever heard of," declared Joe. "It looks as if some farmer has taken the place, but it's queer we hadn't heard of it. Everybody in Bayport would be talking about it if they knew some one had nerve enough to take over the Polucca farm."
"I'm not satisfied yet," Frank said. "We'll go up and question these people."
Accordingly, the six boys walked boldly out of the lane and across the yard. The man in the woodshed saw them first and put down his axe, staring at them with an expression of annoyance on his face. The woman at the clothesline heard their footsteps and turned, facing
