time,"
answered Miss Elting, smiling tolerantly.

"But how did you get over to this side of the lake? That is what you
haven't told us," spoke up Billy Gordon.

"You mean that that is what you wish to tell us," replied Harriet. "You
towed us over of course during the night. You played the first trick and
won. But now you must tell us what became of the 'Red Rover,' the next
day."

"But we can't," exclaimed George. "We hunted--"

"Of course you did," laughed Harriet. "We were watching you all the
time."

The faces of the boys grew crimson. Forks were dropped on plates with a
noisy clatter.

"What's the use?" cried George Baker, getting up hurriedly. "Fellows,
we've got to confess that we're beaten in the first round by a lot of
girls who are a good deal smarter than we think we are, or than we ever
shall be."

George sat down again and began mopping the perspiration from his damp
forehead.

"And that isn't all," continued Harriet, laughing. "Unless you are
prepared to tell us just how we got back into the lake again we shall
consider ourselves entitled to the second honors, too."

CHAPTER XIV

THE MIDNIGHT ALARM

The Meadow-Brook Girls shouted with laughter at this speech. Then, after
a few seconds of hesitation, the boys of the Tramp Club joined in the
merriment.

"You win," replied George. "We can't answer you. Now tell us how you
disappeared so mysteriously, boat and all, and reappeared just as
suddenly."

"Excuse me, but I don't propose to reveal our methods of procedure,"
laughed Harriet. "Oh, you can't outwit us. You will find us ready for
you every time. We know all about last night, too."

"I'd certainly like to know where you were last night," said Captain
Baker.

"We were near you all the time, and you didn't know us," laughed
Harriet. "Even when you came out here yesterday you passed us by without
a single look. You did not see us. Then last night, when you were
chasing some one whom you thought was spying on your camp, you passed us
again, and--"

"So that was you, eh?" jeered Larry.

"Who was I?" answered Harriet innocently.

"The mysterious boat we were pursuing," answered George, eyeing her
keenly.

"Harriet ith not a boat," averred Tommy.

"No. She is a mermaid," declared George with emphasis.

"I beg to differ with all of you," said Sam. "The Meadow-Brook Girls are
the original will o' the wisps. But you haven't seen the last of the
Tramp Club yet. You have won tw