Had any one been up on the bank a few minutes later he would have observed three lads come creeping along, as if they were afraid of being seen. Adrian Bagot was in the lead. "I don't see them" spoke one of the trio. "Keep quiet, Ed Simpson," cautioned Adrian. "That Ranger chap has sharp ears. Do you see 'em, John?" "There's their clothes in little piles, just ahead," replied John Higley. "They couldn't have left 'em better for us. Come on; we'll hide 'em, and then we'll see what happens." "Guess they won't be so fresh after this," spoke Bagot. Slowly the trio crept forward. Well might Jack and his chums worried for the fate of their garments had they seen the three conspirators. But Budge was on the watch. Just as the three sneaks were about to reach down and gather the swimmers' clothes, a stone sailed through the air, and fell with a splash into the water. An instant later there was a wild scene on the bank. Three youths went flying toward the edge of the lake as though propelled by unseen hands. They seemed to have ropes attached to their legs, ropes which were being pulled from below. Then three well-dressed lads were struggling in the water, while five other youths stood up in the shallows looking on. "I guess we turned the tables that time," remarked Jack. CHAPTER VII FOILING A PLOT "Save me! Save me!" yelled Adrian Bagot. "I'm drowning!" screamed Ed Simpson. "I'm sinking!" shouted John Higley. The three conspirators were floundering about in the water. Because of the rope nooses about their feet their efforts to stand upright were not entirely successful. "Who did this?" inquired Bagot angrily, as he tried to get rid of a mouthful of water. "If--if I-I die they'll hang for this!" spluttered Ed Simpson. "No danger of your drowning, you're too mean," said Jack. "Besides it's only up to your knees. Stand up and wade out." By this time the three lads, their clothing dripping with water, had managed to stand upright. They reached down under the dancing wavelets and loosened the nooses. "You'll pay for this, Jack Ranger," shouted Adrian, shaking his fist at our hero. "All right, I'm ready whenever you are," was the cool answer. "Come on, fellows, we don't want to be late for the lecture," and he started from the water, followed by his chums. "I'll have you arrested for damaging my clothes," exclaimed Ed. "And I suppose you'd tell on the witness stand about what you intended to do to ours," went on Jack. "I guess you'll cry 'quits,' that's what you'll do. You tried to play a trick on us, but you got left. So long. Don't miss the lecture." He scrambled ashore, his comrades doing likewise, while the three lads who had taken such an unexpected bath waded out as best they could. They were sorry looking sights. "But I don't exactly un-d-d-d-erstand how it it h-h-h-appened?" stuttered Will, who had not had hold of one of the ropes.