“I think you boys are rather silly to make this fuss and take all this trouble about a deer,” said Mrs. Benson, smiling. “Oh, we just can’t let this deer beat us at the mystery game!” Teddy exclaimed. “We can’t have our Mystery Club beaten!” In a short time each boy had made up his bundle of blanket, food and other things in readiness to again take the trail after the deer. It was not the first time they had gone on hikes and spent the night in the open without a tent. “Are you sure there is plenty to eat,” Teddy asked his mother as the three chums were about to start off. “I put in all I thought you could carry,” she answered. “After all, you won’t be out more than one night, will you?” “I guess not,” Teddy replied. “If we can’t capture the deer between now and tomorrow noon, we’ll come back home.” “And try over again,” said Joe. “Yes!” Teddy agreed. Dick was lifting his pack. A satisfied look came over his face as he noted the packages of food inside the blanket roll. Bidding Mrs. Benson good-bye, the boys started off again. They had to go a bit slower now because of the camping packs they carried. They made their way through the little village. On inquiring of several farmers they learned the deer was still out in the open. It had been seen crossing several fields. On and on the boys continued. The afternoon passed. They had stopped for a little lunch. They had one distant glimpse of the deer and then the animal had disappeared. “But he is still going straight away from us,” Teddy said. “If we can come up to him before he gets to Oak Forest we have a chance.” The boys hurried on, but their pace was slower now. Teddy was tiring and so were his chums. It was getting dusk. “Fellows,” said Teddy suddenly, “we can’t go on any farther. Let’s make a night camp here!” CHAPTER XX NIGHT ALARM Teddy and his chums set up their little night camp in a field near a small patch of woods and beside a small stream. The woods were just the beginning of the state park, Oak Forest and were not very dense. Farther on in the state park the trees were much thicker and larger. “This is a good place,” Teddy remarked as he threw his blanket roll on the ground. “We can stay here tonight and start after the deer first thing in the morning.” “That is if he waits for us and doesn’t go on into Oak Forest during the night,” said Joe. “It would be just like him to do that,” said Dick. “No, I think not,” Teddy said. “We’ve kept after that deer pretty steady. He must be tired and will be glad to rest and sleep during the night.” “Well,” remarked Dick with a sigh, “if that deer is as tired as I am he won’t get up until noon tomorrow.” “And if he’s as hungry as I am,” chuckled Joe, “he will spend most of the night eating.”