"So does every fool who parts with his money as easily as you do," returned the lawyer. "Well, enjoy yourself, my boy. If you'd rather have that paralyzed pony than the money I gave you to enjoy the summer with, I suppose you're entitled to your choice, though I don't like your judgment." "Of course," suggested Fred, "since I've met with misfortune you won't be too hard on me. You'll let me have a little more money, so I won't have to go through the summer like a mucker." "I'll give you no more spending money this summer," retorted the lawyer, adding, grimly: "If I did, you'd probably go and buy a cart to match your horse." In fact Fred felt so uncomfortable at home that, just after dark, he started up Main Street. "Where's your horse, Fred?" called Bert Dodge. "Why are you walking when you own one of the best steeds that ever came out of Arabia?" "Shut up, won't you?" demanded Fred sulkily. Bert chuckled for a while before he went on: "Of course, I'm sorry for you, Fred, but it's all so funny that I can't help laughing." "Oh, yes, it must be awfully funny," replied young Ripley testily. "But you can afford it," said Bert. "You can get more money from your father." "I suppose so," Ripley assented, not caring to repeat his interview with his father. "Anyway, I'm glad that Dick Prescott and the rest of his crowd got fooled as badly as I did. And they can't get any more money this summer." "I guess they must have gotten some already," Bert rejoined. "Didn't you hear the news about that canoe?" "What news?" asked Fred quickly. "Why, they've engaged Hiram Driggs to put the canoe in good order." "Where did they get the money?" asked Fred, his brow darkening. "I don't know," was Bert's rejoinder. "But they must be able to raise money all right, for Driggs has the canoe down at his yard, and he has promised it to them in a few days." This news came like a slap in the face to the lawyer's son. He remained with Bert for another hour, but all the time Fred brooded over the fact that Dick & Co. were to have their canoe after all. "At that, I don't know that they will have their canoe," Fred remarked darkly to himself as he started homeward. Shortly after midnight Fred Ripley sneaked away from his home, turning his face in the direction of Hiram Driggs' boatyard. CHAPTER IV HIRAM PRIES A SECRET LOOSE When he left home Fred Ripley had no clearly defined idea as to what he meant to do. However, he had in one pocket a keen-bladed pocket knife. Well wrapped in paper a short but sharp-edged chisel rested in one of the side pockets of his coat. At the outset his only purpose was to do irreparable mischief to the war canoe. The means of accomplishing that purpose he must decide upon when he reached the boatyard. How dark it was, and how hot! Late as the hour was the baking heat of the day did not seem to have left the ground. Fred walked along rapidly, fanning his perspiring face with his straw hat.