questions
about how we came to be so near to their camp. We've got to be
mighty careful, or in the excitement that will follow the awful
fate of Prescott and his friends the town might grow so hot for
us that we'd be all but lynched. Now, no one can prove that we
weren't on a trip, and that our car broke down on the road; that
we heard the fire of rifles, and the next thing we knew Hazelton,
badly wounded, came rushing up to us, and that we brought him
in as fast as we could. Now, let's make up a story as to just
what trip we were taking when we broke down on the road a mile
from their camp."

The two plotters quickly planned out their story.

"Here's Dr. Bentley's office," said Dodge, as they turned a corner.
"You stay in the car, Bayliss. I can attend to this better."
So Dodge was soon pouring a tale of woe and tragedy up through
the night speaking tube into the astounded, half-suspicious ears
of Dr. Bentley.

Then Bert Dodge drove with Bayliss to the latter's home, after
which Bert quakingly drove the car around to his own home, where
he roused his father to hear the strange news. Nor was it long
ere the whole Dodge family was listening, awe struck.

In the meantime Hazelton was exhibiting to Mr. Pollock, with many
a chuckle, the "Quaker" rifle that he had brought into the office
wrapped in his jacket. Harry also displayed the bottle of strawberry
coloring for ice cream that had supplied the color to his head
bandage.

Ting-a-ling! rang the telephone. It was Dr. Bentley on the wire,
inquiring whether Dodge had been guilty of a hoax in calling him
up to go to the "Blade" office in order to attend Hazelton.

With many a chuckle Mr. Pollock told Dr. Bentley, under injunction
of secrecy, the story of the night's doings. When Dr. Bentley
heard the story of this latest "outrage" by Dick & Co. he laughed
heartily. "Well, well," he mused, "what will Dick and his friends
be up to next?"

"Hazelton," ordered Mr. Pollock, "you take the old overcoats you'll
find in that closet and arrange them on top of one of these long
tables. Get some sleep. I'll call you in time for you to get
word to the parents of Dick & Co. after six in the morning. As
for me, I shall expect to get no sleep until I've put this big
news story in shape."

Yet that morning's issue of the "Blade" didn't contain a word
on the subject. Mr. Pollock was wise enough to write the story,
then save it for appearance at the proper time.

B