with us are trying to chase us out of these woods. At least,
that's my idea."

"It will take something more than noise to chase us," smiled Dick
coolly. "Our ear drums are as sound as the next fellow's. Just
the same, I wish we might find out something about this mystery.
If there's another explosion like that last one, then some of
us ought to travel straight in the direction of the noise."

"And run straight into the hard, swift punch that is behind that
noise!" muttered Danny Grin, with one of those facial contortions
that had earned him his nickname.

"Whoever starts to playing with a boy's curiosity must be ready
to abide by the consequences," chuckled Prescott. "Now, if anyone
has started something against us, then we'll run the rascal to
the earth."

"You don't suppose it's Dodge's work?" whispered Greg.

Before Dick could answer Darrin broke in with an emphatic:

"Not much! The lake mystery affair is one of too large calibre
for Bert Dodge's poor, anaemic brain. There's something bigger
and smarter than a mere Dodge behind the doings of this night."

"It's one o'clock, fellows," said Dick, after walking over to
the lantern for a glimpse at his watch. "Tom, Greg and I will
stay up until three o'clock and be ready to jump out together
at the first sign of anything happening. The rest of you turn