“Well, you left a note on the door, didn’t you? Maybe they prowled around, found that, didn’t see any lights, and concluded they’d take a chance. Probably they tried the windows and couldn’t open ’em without breaking the glass, and then went around back. Well, I’ll see what can be done. But I guess it’s a hopeless job. Like as not they’re ten miles or even twenty miles away by now. Maybe they caught a freight. But I’ll telegraph up and down the road. You leave it to me, sir. Tell Mrs. Peel I’ll let her know if anything comes up.” He climbed into his buggy and was off again. They watched him go and then locked the store and went back to the boat. It was almost noon, and Dick and Roy had just returned after a fruitful journey to the neighboring farm. “We got eggs and chickens and corn and beets and peas and a whole half-gallon of milk!” called Dick, jubilantly. “And some little round squashes that you fry in bread-crumbs.” “Didn’t you bring the things from the store?” asked Roy. “No,” Chub answered. “Why not?” “Well, I guess we sort of forgot them. Some one broke into the store last night and stole the money and a lot of groceries.” Presently, when Roy and Dick had heard all there was to hear, Chub decoyed Roy to the tent, out of hearing of Harry. “I say, Roy,” he began, “do you remember the other night when we found those cans of peaches on the bed?” “Sure,” answered Roy. “Remember we found a lot of matches on the floor?” “Yes.” “Remember what sort they were?” “What sort? No, just matches, weren’t they?” “Parlor matches?” “Um--no, they were what we used to call ‘all-day matches,’ the kind that come in cards and have to be broken off.” “Exactly, sulphur matches,” agreed Chub. “Well, look at these.” He drew five burnt matches from his pocket and held them out. “Yes, I see,” said Roy. “Look like the same kind, don’t they? You think, then, that the fellow that Harry saw at her window is the same fellow that robbed the store?” “I think he was one of them,” answered Chub, decidedly. “Besides, he tried to steal canned fruit from us, and they took about two dozen cans of it last night.” “That’s so. Who do you think did it?” “I don’t know, but--I’ve been wondering--I say, how far do you think it is to where those Gipsies are?” “About two miles, I should say. Now, that’s it, Chub! I’ll wager they did it!” “Well, that’s what I think,” said Chub. “Now, look here. After dinner you and Dick had better go back to the store with Harry and be there when Mrs. Peel comes. I’ll give you a check to replace the stolen money. She won’t lose that, anyway.” “Oh, we’ll all contribute to that,” said Roy. “I don’t know that we’re bound to replace it, though. We didn’t steal it.” “No, but I’d feel better if we did. You fellows needn’t help, though; I’ve got enough to pay for it all.” “Nonsense; we’ll go thirds on it. But what are you going to do?” “Go fishing,” answered Chub, with a grin. “Fishing?” “Yes, up near where the Gipsies are camped.”