Nancy followed him inside.

Along one wall was a plank table that held the computer and printer. A small file cabinet in the comer was heaped high with printouts.

"The device that receives the radio signals from the transmitters is outside," Ned explained.

Nancy pointed to a door at the other side of the room and asked, "Where does that go?"

"To the supply room," Ned replied. "That's what we call it, but it's really just a glorified closet. Still, it's big enough to hold traps, sacks of food pellets, and other equipment."

"Is that where the traps were stolen from?" Nancy said.

"Some of them," Ned answered. "But we've got four marmot observation stations, and we keep traps in the huts there, too." Ned leaned against the worktable. "It makes me sick to think that the poachers are using our equipment to steal marmots!"

Nancy returned to the door and studied the padlock. The shiny brass lock was unscratched. "Who has keys to this cabin?" she asked.

"Just the professor and Brad," Ned replied. "These are the professor's keys I have. He gave them to me. We were at observation station two, but he wanted me to come back to check the computer to see if any signals from the missing marmots had shown up."

"Could I see one of the traps?" Nancy asked. Ned went through the other door and returned with a wire cage with open doors at each end.

"We put food inside," Ned explained. "When a marmot steps in to get it, its weight triggers a spring that closes the doors."

Ned picked up a small disk attached to a plastic collar. "Then we attach a transmitter to the animal's neck."

Nancy studied the collar. "And the marmots don't mind?"

"Usually not," Ned said with a smile. "Now and then we have to tranquilize one." He indicated a small hypodermic syringe on a shelf.

Nancy shuddered.