, and who can think on the spur of the
moment. Also some one who will not be suspected of being in the secret
service of the government."

"I see!" cried the boy, his eyes flashing.

"And so," continued the lieutenant, "I was thinking that you might get
some of the Black Bears and Wolves we had in Mexico to go down there
and look about. Where is little Jimmie? I like the boy."

"Fremont has about adopted him!" laughed Nestor. "I guess the boy will
have an easy life from this time on."

"And Fremont is now the acknowledged heir?"

"Oh, yes. Mr. Cameron is holding the property until he comes of age,
but is giving him the income, which is very large, to say nothing of
the mine."

"Mr. Cameron, of course, knew that Fremont was the heir?"

"Oh, yes, he knew, and he had statements from Mother Scanlon to prove
it. It was all clear for Fremont before the crime was committed. A
lucky boy!"

"Of course he appreciates your efforts in his behalf?"

"Does he? Why, he wants me to stop working and come and play with him
for the remainder of my life! Suppose I take him to Panama if you
really want me to go?"

"I certainly do, and for the reason given," was the reply. "Get some of
the Black Bears and Wolves together and organize an excursion to the
Canal Zone. You must not mix with me, or the other secret service men
down there, but you must keep us posted as to what you discover."

"That will be a picnic," cried Nestor. "What is doing down there?"

"I don't know much about it myself," was the reply, "except that it is
a plot to stop the building of the canal. You'll find out soon enough
when you get down there. When can you go?"

"In three days," was the answer. "Just as soon as I can round up the
boys. The folks down there will think a menagerie has struck town when
they see all the wild animals creeping in on them. Say, what would
Uncle Sam do if it wasn't for the Boy Scouts of America?" he added,
with a laugh.

"Couldn't exist!" smiled the lieutenant.

It is needless to say that the prospect of a trip to Panama, with a
little intrigue thrown in, pleased the boys greatly, and in three days
they were ready to start, waiting only for orders from Lieutenant
Gordon.

THE END.

What they did and what they saw and heard in the Canal Zone will be
told in the forthcoming book of this series entitled, "Boy Scouts in
the Canal Zone; or Plot Against Uncle Sam."

End of the Project Gut