Wondering over what had become of the boat, the entire party left the picnic grounds and hurried down to the lake front. Here was a small cove where they had landed, and Able Fales pointed out an overhanging tree to which he had secured his craft. “Even if she got loose I don’t think she’d drift out of the cove,” said the boatman. “There is no current here to carry her out.” “Well, she is gone, sure,” remarked Andy. He turned to his chums. “What do you make of this.” “I’d hate to say,” said Dale. “Then you think it is a trick?” questioned Jack. “Doesn’t it look like it? Remember the hornets’ nest.” “Yes, and look there!” exclaimed Andy. “If that isn’t the limit! Yes, it’s a trick all right!” The acrobatic youth pointed to the tree to which the launch had been fastened. From a cord on the tree hung the hornets’ nest, now empty. Pinned to the nest was a bit of paper. The boys secured the sheet and read the following: “_Use this nest if you have to stay out all night._” CHAPTER XXII THE MISSING LAUNCH As the cadets read the words on the sheet of paper their faces showed their deep chagrin and mortification. Had they been alone they would have considered the affair a trick on them and nothing more, but with the Fords along it was an entirely different matter. “What is that? Let me see it,” said Laura, and took the paper from Andy’s hand. She read the words aloud. “I must say I do not understand this,” said Mrs. Ford. “What has this empty hornets’ nest to do with the launch?” “It means that a trick has been played on us,” said Jack, his face growing red. “I think it’s a shame to involve you in it—and I’ll tell those other fellows so, when I get the chance!” he added, half savagely. “But what is it about?” asked Rossmore Ford. “We may as well make a clean breast of it,” said Pepper to his chums, and then he related the particulars of the hornets’ nest and how it had been used during the Ritter feast. The girls laughed outright and Mr. and Mrs. Ford smiled. “Now here is where the Ritter crowd pay us back,” went on Pepper. “I don’t know how they got here, but they did—and they have either hidden the launch or made off with it. I am awfully sorry—on your account,” and he looked anxiously at the Fords. “Well, you are in the same boat as ourselves,” said Mr. Ford. “I guess you mean we are both out of the boat,” returned Andy, with a sickly grin. He turned to Able Fales. “Have you looked all along the shore for the launch?” he asked. “Pretty much,” was the answer. “But I can take another look. So it was some friends of yours took the boat, eh?” “Hardly friends,” answered Dale dryly. “They belong to our military school.” “I know you fellers are full of tricks. Took the bell clapper of the church once,” went on the boatman.