ll. "You see, we wanted
them to come up to my house first, and then Ruth wanted them. But as
their mothers are now all alone in New York they thought it best that we
should spend the time down there. We could have something of a house
party, and that would help cheer the older folks up."

"A good idea!" came from Fred. "Do it by all means!"

"Yes, you girls can have a fine time in New York during the winter
holidays," added Randy.

"I suppose you boys will want to go off hunting," said May, pouting a
little. "I wish I was a boy and could do that!"

"Gee! I wish we could go off hunting, like we did that time at Snowshoe
Island," cried Randy wistfully. "Such an outing would suit me right down
to the ground."

"Gif Garrison said something a few days ago about going off on a hunt,"
remarked Fred. "He says his father some years ago bought a place known
as Cedar Lodge. He didn't tell me very much about it. In fact, he acted
quite mysteriously."

"I suppose he didn't want to hurt your feelings, Fred," returned Jack.
"More than likely he knew you would feel bad to have him going off for a
good time up in the woods and have you and the rest of us staying at
home."

Two days passed, and the young cadets were so busy getting ready for the
examinations previous to the midwinter holidays that they had no time to
pay attention to anything else. They heard that Bill Glutts was openly
boasting that the _Yellow Streak_ could beat any bobsled in that
vicinity and that the _Blue Moon_ had won the contest by a foul. But to
this just then they paid no attention.

"I'll get at Bill later--just wait!" was the way Jack expressed himself,
and the others knew that the young captain would keep his word.

On Wednesday the boys received letters from home stating that word had
come in that their fathers were still in the trenches in France. No
serious fighting had so far taken place in their sector, and none of
them had been wounded and all were in the best of health.

"That's the best news yet," said Fred, with satisfaction, and the others
agreed with him.

Gif Garrison had also received a letter, and this he read with
tremendous satisfaction. His face was aglow as he called the Rover boys
to him.

"I've got an important announcement to make to you fellows," he said.
"Let us go up to your rooms and talk it over."

"What is the announcement?" questioned Andy eagerly.

"I'll tell you when we are alone," answered Gif.

CHAPTE