nd the
lad gave his chum a look that said as plainly as words: "What did you
want to mention it for?"

"Oh--I--er--I was only fooling," stammered Phil. "Of course, if there
is a wild man he won't come near us. Tell the girls we'll be ready in
five minutes--at least I will," he added, and resumed his packing.

"Can I do anything for you?" asked the lady.

"You might try to find my striped cap," answered Dave. "I can't seem
to locate it."

"It is in the library--I saw it a while ago, Dave."

"And my baseball bat--the new one with the black handle."

"That is in the back hall, in a corner. How about your books?"

"I've got all of them. Send Laura with the bat and cap, will you,
please?"

"Yes;" and Mrs. Wadsworth hurried off, anxious to be of all the
assistance possible.

"Say, that was a bad break for me," murmured Phil, as the door closed,
and before Dave or Roger could speak. "I didn't want to worry her,
Dave. I'm sorry I mentioned the wild man."

"And the man may be caught before we get back to Oak Hall," said
Roger. He crossed the room and peered into a closet. "Has anybody seen
my baseball shoes?"

"You left those at the Hall, Roger," answered Dave.

"Did I? All right, then. I came away in such a hurry I can't remember
what I took and what I didn't."

"I guess we've got about everything now," resumed Dave, looking
around the bedroom. He glanced at his watch. "Ten minutes to twelve.
We are to have lunch at a quarter past, and start at one, sharp."

"Provided the auto is ready," interposed Phil.

"It will be--trust my Uncle Dunston for that," answered Dave. "My, but
isn't it jolly to think we are going back to school in the auto
instead of by train!"

"Yes, and to think that the girls and your uncle are going with us!"
added Roger.

"Dave, look out for Roger, he's got his eye on Laura!" said Phil,
slyly.

"Oh, you give us a rest, Phil Lawrence!" burst out Roger, growing red.
"I guess you've got an eye on her yourself."

"Poor me! Poor me!" murmured Phil, as if talking to himself. "Roger
will talk to nobody but Laura, and Dave will see and hear and think of
nobody but Jessie, and I'll be left in the cold! Oh, what a cruel
world this is! If only--wow!" and Phil's pretended musings came to a
sudden end, as Dave shied a pair of rolled-up socks at him and Roger
followed with a pillow. In another instant a mimic battle was on, with
pillows and various articles of clothing for ammunition. Then came