ell
your father all about it. We were given charge of this property, and
we've got to account for it. You're a lawyer's son; perhaps you know
what kind of trouble your conduct here to-night will get you into."

"Telltale!" taunted Fred.

Dick made no answer, deeming silence the wiser course.

"Sneak!" added Ripley.

Dick held up his hand as a signal to his chums to preserve silence.
Outside the other boys heard no noise save that made by Tom Reade when
he began to feed the fire, for the interior of the cabin was growing a
trifle chilly.

"Now, don't say a word to them, no matter what those fellows yell at
us," Dick whispered, circulating among his chums. "Don't even let them
hear us talking among ourselves. If everything is still in here, and
they can't get any answer from us, that may set them to guessing. If we
get them to guessing they'll be uneasy next."

So silence reigned within the cabin. There was no response from Dick &
Co., even when the larger boys outside kicked and pounded on the door
and shouted abusive taunts.

Every now and then one of Fred's crowd would slip around by the shack
and warm himself before the still glowing embers.

"We might as well cut it, and get out of this," Fred whispered at last
to his companions, after he had summoned them by signs to join him
before the blaze that was left at the site of the shack. "Those
youngsters won't let us into their house, and we'll freeze to death
around here as soon as yonder bonfire is out. We'll get back to your
uncle's Hen. Bert and I have been paying him board money for the crowd,
and he'll be glad enough to see us back. But let's go without making any
noise, and then the youngsters in the cabin will wonder--just simply
wonder--whether we've left or are still around. The result will be that
they won't dare to show their noses outdoors."

So General Fred marched his forces away by stealth. Had he been able to
look into the cabin, though, before departing, he would have felt
chagrined.

For Messrs. Dick & Co. were far from feeling uncomfortable. They had
suddenly discovered, all over again, that they were hungry. The hour
being late, they had put together a light repast, and were now enjoying
it. Then, not having heard anything of the enemy for an hour, Dick
decided upon opening the door to take a peep outside. His five chums,
however, stood at his back, while Greg Holmes held the bar, ready to
drop it into place instantly at need.

As Dick