pend the rest of the summer working in a grocery store or on a
farm pulling weeds!"

CHAPTER XII.

THE COMING OF THE BEAR.

"Listen fellows, let's duck back towards the woods for a bit and have a
council of war," ordered Garry. "There will be less chance of our being
observed there, and no chance of our being overheard." So saying, Garry
led the way back for about half a mile.

"We must strike while the iron's hot, and it seems to be hot tonight.
What with the young lady's information about watching this Lafe Green
person, and Dud's hint that there was something brewing, it strikes me
that we ought to get going. There's only one logical place to start, and
that is this restaurant," said Garry emphatically.

"We must understand one thing, though. There's an element of danger
connected with this, and I don't want to lead anyone into anything that
I wouldn't do myself, so I offer to make the first reconnoitre," he
concluded.

"That's mighty white, Garry, but I want to make a suggestion. I'm not
looking for any personal glory out of this, but I declare I think I am
the logical person to go. You know I am the only one of us who can talk
French and understand it, and as we have already had one clue in that
manner, there's every chance that others may follow in the same way, so
I move that I go."

Garry saw the force of the argument, and as Phil was backed up by Dick,
decided that after all this was the best move.

A plan of campaign was hastily drawn up. It was decided that the other
two should return to the lean-to, and there wait Phil's return. Phil's
rifle and knapsack were to be carried back by his chums, while Phil was
to take the little automatic that Garry had purchased at Bangor.

"This is only as a measure of safety, Phil," said Garry. "And under no
condition show it or use it except as a last resort. Now there's one
other thing. We want to keep a check for safety's sake on your
movements, yet you want to have time enough to follow up any clue that
may arise. So let's make it a point that you be back at the lean-to by
sundown tomorrow night. If you are not there by then, we will know that
you are in some sort of a pickle and plan to come to your aid. Don't try
to do anything single handed; your mission tonight is to find out what
is going on if you can. If you can return tonight, so much the better.
From now on too, we'll establish a watch, taking two hour sentry duty.
There may be no need of it ye