'em at four dollars a day. He said they was
over to Pine Pond, an' promised to give me two dollars, if I'd see if I
could find 'em."

"Why didn't he go?" Jet asked, in a peculiar tone.

"'Cause he didn't know the way."

"Funny kind of a guide not to be better acquainted than a boy who never
attempted anything of the kind."

"Well, you see, the most of his work has been done 'round Raquette Lake
way."

"So you went over to the pond for him?"

"Yes, it wouldn't take me so very much longer, an' it was earnin' two
dollars mighty easy."

"But what about the telegram?"

"Oh, that's all right. He offered to carry it to the village for me,
an' to pay the charges out of his own pocket, though it was to be taken
from what he owed me when I got back."

"And you gave it to him?" Jet asked, his face growing very pale.

"Yes, it would get there jest the same, an' I'd be helpin' buy the
grub," Jim replied, in a matter-of-fact tone, wholly unconscious of the
black looks Jet was bestowing upon him. "I couldn't find anybody
'round the pond, an' I reckon the party must have come that very day,
for when I got back to the village the man wasn't there; but I'll have
the money when he finishes the job."

"Did you ask the telegraph operator if the message had been sent?"

"No; what was the use of that so long as he'd promised to fix
everything? But say," Jim cried, suddenly, as he looked toward the
water's edge, "where's the boat?"

"Your friend, the Raquette Lake guide borrowed her this morning."

"So he's been here, eh? Did he say anything about meetin' me?"

"Not a word," Jet replied, grimly. "I guess he was too busy getting
ready to leave, for he had to pack all our provisions, my gun and the
other things which were lying around into the boat."

"What do you mean?" Jim cried, as he gazed about him and failed to see
any of their outfit.

"I reckon he's gone to Raquette Lake with the two fellows who were
camping over on the point."

"Have they skipped?" and now Jim's eyes were opened very wide.

"Went yesterday morning bag and baggage."

"What'll we do when the officer comes to arrest 'em?"

"See here, Jim, are you so stupid as not to know what has happened?"

"Why don't you tell me?" the guide screamed.

"Because you have been giving me the story. The very jolly fellow you
met was a friend of the men I came here to watch; he talked with you
long enough to find out that the telegram you were carrying conce