“Well, I’ll admit we were a little off the trail,” answered Bart Mason, who was very large for his years and correspondingly lazy. “But we weren’t lost like the babes in the woods.” “I don’t see how a big fellow like you could get lost,” put in Fred, slyly. His head hardly came up to Bart’s shoulder. “Tell me about those tramps,” said Joe, impatiently. “Where are they now?” “The last I saw of them they were walkin’ on the lake.” “The lake!” came from Joe, Harry, and Fred simultaneously. “Yes. That’s why I came over to tell you.” “Do you think they came over to this island?” asked Harry. “Either that or they crossed to the other shore.” “Tell me exactly how they looked,” went on Joe. “We don’t want to make any mistake.” Teddy Dugan had had a good look at all three of the tramps and he described their features and dress in detail. “The very same rascals, beyond a doubt,” said Harry. “I wish you had had them locked up, Teddy.” “Sure and I couldn’t do it when I was all alone, Harry. I watched them walk to the lake and out on the ice—heading this way,—and then I ran back to my uncle’s house and told him. But the snow was too deep to go to town, an’ so me uncle did nothing.” After this Teddy Dugan told the particulars of the meeting between himself and the three good-for-nothings. “I heard through me uncle that a house had been robbed near where he lives,” added Teddy. “More than likely they were the thieves.” “I shouldn’t wonder,” said Fred. “A rascal who will take a watch and chain will take more.” Link Darrow and Bart Mason had been bound for the lodge, thinking that the camp of the club was located there. Both readily consented to turn and move toward Needle Rock. “You must have had a fearful time with old Skeetles,” said Link, as the whole party moved off. “Our family know him well, and my father doesn’t want anything to do with him.” “What a pity Dan Marcy can’t act like other fellows do,” was Bart’s comment. “He might be a real nice fellow if he wasn’t so overbearing.” “It’s in the breed,” came from Joel Runnell. “His father and his grandfather were that way before him. Why, I can remember his grandfather well. He was a boss on the railroad, and he hounded the Italian workmen so much that one night several of them almost stoned him to death.” “In that case, Dan is scarcely to blame for his disposition,” said Harry. “I think he is. He ought to work to overcome it,” replied Fred. “But he just makes himself as ugly as he can. Why, even the little boys and girls get out of his way when they see him coming.” The three boys who had been on the island since the beginning of the outing were anxious to hear all the news from home and this was told to them by Bart and Link, who had also brought along several letters. “I don’t know what we can do about those tramps,” said Joe, after thinking the matter over for some time.