a
certain amount of chatter would be apt to make them forget their
weariness.

"I even thought just then I could hear water lapping upon the shore,
Frank," remarked Will.

"That was what you heard, because I caught it too," he was assured by
the one in whom Will placed such confidence.

"Be ready, then, to see our old cabin as soon as we get to the edge of
these woods," remarked Frank; "everybody watch, and see who's the
first to call out. Of course you two fellows ahead have the best
chance."

Shortly afterwards Jerry broke out again.

"Frank, there's the water through the trees!"

"Yes, and with the moonlight playing across it like a pathway of
silver," added Will, who was a little inclined to be poetical.

"Home, sweet home," sighed Bluff; "be it ever so lowly there's no
place like home."

"Oh! quit that, Bluff!" urged Jerry. "Don't you know you'll make us
want to quit Cabin Point and hike for our real homes. Just let's keep
thinking of what a spread we're in for, once I get started hustling
the supper along. Wow! in fancy I can see it now, with the coffee-pot
boiling on the hob and--holy smoke! Frank, what does this mean now?"

"Tell us what's happened!" demanded Will, beginning to show signs of
excitement, as Jerry came to a full stop.

"Why, there's our cabin; can't you see, fellows--and as sure as you
live somebody's inside it, because the light is shining through the
window where that wooden shutter can't be coaxed to close tight. Now I
wonder what that funny business stands for."

CHAPTER XXIV

THE MYSTERY SOLVED

"Yes, it's a light, that's what it is!" Bluff was heard to mutter.

"This is certainly a queer piece of business, as you say, Jerry,"
admitted Frank.

"Oh! I hope now it isn't a messenger from home with bad news! That
would upset all our plans. And my mother wasn't feeling just up to the
mark when I left home, either," cried Will.

Will's mother was a widow, and he had a twin sister named Violet. The
three of them lived by themselves in one of the most substantial and
beautiful houses in Centerville; so the boy's sudden sense of anxiety
could be easily understood. He was really the man of the house, and
often felt his conscience stab him when he left his mother and Violet
alone.

"Oh! stow that, Will!" urged the more practical Jerry. "It isn't going
to turn out as bad as that. How do we know but that they do have
hoboes up this way, and that the tramps have taken a shin