Part 33 (1/2)
”Look, Look!” burst out Gif. ”What can that mean? Every window and every door of the Lodge is wide open!”
”Sure as you're born, Gif is right!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Fred. ”Something is wrong, that's sure.”
All set off on a run, to ascertain as quickly as possible what had occurred at the Lodge during their absence. Gif was the first to enter the place, but he was quickly followed by the others.
”Gee! what do you know about this?” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Andy.
”This is the work of our enemies!” murmured Jack.
The doors and windows had evidently been open for some time, for the Lodge was bitter cold inside and not a little snow had drifted in through the openings. The wind had likewise entered, blowing the ashes of the dead fire in all directions.
”I'll bet Glutts and Werner did this!” cried Spouter.
”Just what I think,” answered Jack.
CHAPTER XXII
AT TONY DUVAL'S CAMP
The six cadets lost no time in making a thorough examination of the Lodge. In the bedrooms they found everything topsy-turvy, the bed clothes having been hauled near the windows where the incoming snow might fall upon them. In the kitchen they found many of their cooking utensils in the sink, and over them had been poured a mixture of flour, catsup, maple syrup, and condensed milk. In the storeroom many other things were upset, and not a few of the supplies appeared to be missing.
”This is certainly the worst yet!” groaned Fred, as he looked at the mussed-up and ruined food.
”I said Glutts and Werner would get back at you for meddling with their supplies,” remarked Jack sharply. ”They have certainly paid us back with interest.”
”I wish we had those two fellows here now. I'd hammer them good and proper,” declared Randy. ”Just the same, I suppose this is our fault, and I'm mighty sorry for it,” he added, looking at Jack, Gif, and Spouter.
”They either took a large share of our supplies away, or else hid them,”
said Gif, after another look around. ”My, what a mess they did make!”
”Well, as we are largely responsible for this, it's up to us to take hold and clean up the best we can,” announced Randy to his twin and Fred.
”Right you are,” answered Andy. ”Come ahead! we'll clean up the living-room first and get a fresh fire started.”
”All right, you fellows do that, and we'll tackle the bedrooms,” said Jack. ”We'll have to dry out that bedding before night.”
Soon the whole crowd was busy, breakfast, for the time, being forgotten.
All went at the task with a will, and before long everything was straightened out but the kitchen. Doors and windows had been closed, a fresh fire had been lit, and then the roaring logs sent a grateful warmth through the entire bungalow.
”Now we'll get breakfast, and then we'll clean up this mess in the kitchen,” announced Gif.
”And what are we going to do after that?” questioned Jack.
”What do you think we ought to do, Jack?”
”Square accounts with Glutts and Werner, if they are the guilty parties.”
”They only paid us back for what Fred and the twins did,” said Spouter.