ented Merritt;
"though as both Jack and Bill can swim, I wouldn't mind seeing them get
a good ducking."

"I suppose the coincidence has struck you fellows, too?" remarked Rob
suddenly, as he skillfully twisted and turned the dancing Flying Fish
through the devious ways of the channel at low water.

"What on earth are you talking about?" demanded Merritt.

"Why, that it seems rather queer that Sam, who was round town
desperately trying to raise money with which to get his boat out of
pawn suddenly manages to redeem her, and that on the very day after the
robbery of Captain Hudgins hut."

"By hookey, that's right!" shouted Tubby. "I'll bet your guess was
correct, Rob--that gang of Jack's robbed the old captain."

"And stole our uniforms," put in Merritt.

"Yes; but how are we going to prove it?" was Rob's "cold water" comment
which silenced further speculation for the time being. Each boy,
however, determined then and there to do his share in running down the
persons responsible for the vandalism.

By the time they got back to Hampton the news had spread among the
entire Eagle Patrol, and an indignation meeting was called in the
devastated armory. Mr. Blake entered in the midst of it, and offered,
in conjunction with the rest of the local council, to furnish new
uniforms. On the matter being put to a vote, however, the lads all
agreed that it would be better not to accept such an offer till they
had made a determined effort to run down the plunderers.

"Very well," said Mr. Blake; "your spirit does you great credit, and if
you need any help, don't fail to call upon me at any time."

"Three cheers for Mr. Blake and the members of the council!" shouted
Merritt, jumping on a chair.

They were given with such roof-raising effect, that people outside in
the street, many of whom knew of the robbery, began to think that the
uniforms must have been recovered.

As the lads surged out of the armory, all talking at once about the
robbery and its likely results, whom should they encounter on the
street but Jack Curtiss and his two chums, evidently, from the fact
that they carried waterproof garments over their arms, just back from
their trip in Sam's newly-recovered hydroplane.

It might have been fancy, but as the eyes of the Boy Scouts met those
of the three lads who would have so much liked to belong to the
organization, Rob thought that a look of embarrassment spread over Jack
Curtiss' heavy features, and that e