ose tramps we scared off had come back with a big bunch of their
kind, meaning to take possession of the castle. Now, you needn't
all jump on me and say that's silly, because I happen to know those
hoboes often gather in regular armies about this time of year, heading
for the cities. Hugh, it isn't such a bad idea, after all, is it?"

"Since none of us seem able to think of any other explanation," the
scout master told him, reassuringly, "it will have to stand until we
can strike on a better. It seems to me the sooner we hike over that
way the quicker we'll learn the real facts."

"True enough, Hugh," assented Alec, readily, while the others showed
by their actions that they were perfectly willing to make the start.

Their preparations for leaving their camp were few and simple. What
food they had left was thrust up in the crotch of a big tree, so that
it might not be carried off by any wandering wild animal, though they
had no reason to believe there was anything larger than a 'coon' or
a 'possum' around that region. The blankets and a few other things
of value were also placed in safety, while Alec again tested the supports
of his "clothes line" on which those precious films were strung to dry.

"I hate to leave them," he told the others, mournfully, "but now that
they're wet and sticky they can't be packed away. I almost wish I
hadn't been in such a hurry to develop them."

He stared at Billy as though almost tempted to beg that worthy to stay
behind and protect the films by his presence, which Billy absolutely
refused to do, rightly interpreting the look.

"Not on your life, Alec, much as I would like to oblige you!" asserted
the fat scout, positively. "I want company when there's all sorts of
strange things happening around. You don't catch me sticking to this
camp by my lonely. Stay back yourself if somebody has just got to hold
the fort. My duty lies in the front rank. History tells that the
Worths were always found in the van when danger loomed up. Sorry not
to oblige you, Alec, but it's simply impossible. William Worth will
sink or swim with his comrades."

As Alec could not think of staying back when the rest were bent on
learning the secret of all that terrible clamor of human voices raised
in angry shouts and whoops, he took his place alongside Hugh, and
they all started forth.

"One thing sure, to begin with," remarked Hugh, after they had left
the camp behind them, "we're a unit in say