"I told them no, but that you were expected in a few days. Then both of
them began to brag, and said they had it in for all three of you
Rovers."

"Did they say what they intended to do?" questioned Tom.

"Not exactly, but Koswell intimated that if you didn't look out you
might be blown up."

"Blown up!" exclaimed Dick, and he thought instantly of what Tad Sobber
and Josiah Crabtree had said to Dora and Nellie.

"That's what he said. I wanted to find out what he meant, but Larkspur
stopped him from talking and told him to shut up. But, Dick, I feel sure
they mean something, and all of you fellows better be on your guard,"
added Stanley earnestly.

"This is surely getting interesting," said Tom. "First Sobber and old
Crabtree promise to blow us up and now Koswell and Larkspur propose the
same thing."

"They must be in league with each other!" cried Sam.

"It looks that way--especially after what happened on Casco Bay,"
returned Dick. And then he told Songbird and Stanley of the recent
happenings near the Rovers' home, and elsewhere.

"Well, my advice is, keep your eyes wide open all the time," said
Songbird. "Those fellows are desperate--their actions show it--and
they'll play you foul if they get half a chance."

"And to that advice let me add something more," said Stanley. "Don't
trust Dudd Flockley. He pretended to reform for a while, but behind it
all I think he is as bad as ever. If you gave him any information he may
carry it straight to those others."

"Thank you, Stanley, I'll remember that," said Dick.

"So will I," added Tom, and Sam nodded in approval.

"Well, to let you in behind the scenes," went on Dick, to Stanley and
Songbird, "I am not so much worried about ourselves as I am about Mrs.
Stanhope and Dora and the Lanings. Sobber and old Crabtree want that
fortune from Treasure Isle the worst way and they'll do anything to get
hold of it. Koswell and Larkspur are probably short of funds, and, as
they like to live high, they'll help Sobber and Crabtree all they
can,--for a rake-off of the proceeds."

"I reckon you are right," said Songbird. "But what do all of them mean
by blowing you sky high."

"That remains to be seen," said Sam.

"Or rather felt," added Tom, who had to have his little joke. "Maybe
they'll plant some dynamite under the college and blow us up!"

"Hardly that, Tom," returned his older brother. "But they may try some
kind of a dirty trick along those lines."

"Don't w