"What are we going to tell folks about what we saw at the cottage?"
queried Dan after another five minutes of trudging.

"If we tell anything at all," suggested Prescott, "I'll tell you
how we can win a prize."

"How?" demanded Tom innocently. "By telling the truth," Dick
smiled. Soon after the Grammar School boys came out on the road.

"See that group 'way ahead there?" asked Tom, pointing down the
road.

"Yes," nodded Dick. "That's Rip's crowd, so we know they didn't
get hurt."

"Then the only one who did get hurt," Tom added, "was the man
who was very soon able to take mighty good care of himself."

"So we don't need to bother about the matter any more," Greg hinted.
"And, gracious! I hope mother has saved some supper for me."

"It'll be a cold hand-out for me," groaned Hazelton.

The Grammar School boys were soon on Main Street now. They hurried
along, as they had not yet come to the point of parting.

"Look at that crowd down the street," called Dave. "There's some
excitement in the wind."

"I'm not nosey," observed Tom.