Part 14 (1/2)

”A blessing to the Pony Rider Boys community, you mean hello!”

”What is it?” cried Stacy

Tad was staring fixedly at a rope suspended between two small cedars near the tents It was on this that so

”Where is that ha heard his co up there last night?”

”I--I don't know I didn't eat it”

Tad got up and hastened to the ”stores-line,” as they called the rope that held their meats and other provisions He discovered that several other articles besides the ha Even the pieces of thich the provisions had been fastened to the line were !” wondered Butler

”It does,” agreed Chunky, who had made bold to approach ”I hope the felloon't bla totoprovisions He turned sharply to Stacy

”See here, you aren't playing tricks on us, are you?”

Stacy indignantly protested that he was not

”I knew you'd try to put it on rumbled ”I'm pretty bad, I know, but I don't steal”

”Stop it! I haven't accused you of stealing Of course I know you wouldn't do that, but if you have taken the stuff and hidden it for a joke, say so now before I call the others Theyvocal exercises”

”I didn't I don't know any more about it than you do”

Stacy's lips were blue with cold and he was chattering Tad suddenly observed these signs of cold and felt sorry for the boy

”When the others come out, you duck in and put on some dry clothes You will have plenty of time I don't think they will bother you Oh, Ned!

Professor!” called Tad

Ned Rector, Professor Zepplin and Walter ca out

”Isn't there any rest at all in this camp?” protested Ned

”That is what I was about to inquire,” declared the Professor

”What! _You_ here?” de eye on the fat boy ”Has he been cutting up again?”

”It's so else this time”

”What is it?” questioned Professor Zepplin sharply

”Did any of you folks reht?” asked Butler