lonesome; but I mustn't think
of such a thing now."

Jim brought up various reasons why it would be better both should go;
but Jet would not listen to them, and when they laid down to sleep it
was understood that the guide would start at an early hour.

Next morning shortly after sunrise Bob and Sam were seen cooking
breakfast, and Jet wrote the following message to Harvey:

"Come at once to Saranac lake, and hire a boat to Round Lake. I will
watch for you."

When this had been done the amateur detective suddenly realized that if
both he and Jim should set out in the craft and but one returned, it
might arouse suspicion, therefore he said to the guide:

"It won't pay to run any risks, and you'll have to walk the whole
distance. Here's money enough so you can buy anything you think we may
need."

He handed Jim three dollars, and that young gentleman was so delighted
at having such an amount to spend as he saw fit that all objections to
the journey were forgotten.

"Go up along fast as possible; you can take your time coming back," Jet
said, as his companion, shouldering the muzzle-loader, was ready to set
out, "and don't delay sending that message."

"I'll fix things in great shape," was the confident reply, and then the
small guide disappeared amid the foliage.

During the next hour Jet bustled around considerably more than was
necessary, in order to make it appear as if both he and Jim were there,
and as a means of causing the time to pass more quickly, attempted to
cook an elaborate dinner.

This was a failure, however, owing to his lack of skill, and he dined
on boiled potatoes, which were not particularly palatable, owing to the
fact that they had been thoroughly scorched.

The men appeared to be well contented with their camp. They lounged
around near the shore, but without showing any desire to fish, and
otherwise behaved as if determined to remain.

When night came Jet felt more than lonely. The night noises of the
forest almost frightened him, and only by piling the fire high with
wood could he keep his courage screwed to the "sticking point."

He had not slept more than half an hour, and was promising himself a
long nap after the sun rose; but when the day dawned he had something
more serious to think about.

He watched Bob and Sam as they prepared breakfast, and then, much to
his surprise and sorrow, saw them launch the boat, packing into her all
their belongings.

"Jimminy! They'