"No, I didn't. It wasn't any good anyhow. You tried to put Sheldon's
boat out of business, but you couldn't."

"You had as much to do with that as I did!" sputtered Herring.

"Well, you started it, same as you started telling that detective
that Sheldon had a bad name in the Academy, and---"

"Shut up! Somebody will hear you. You had as much to do with
that as-----"

Percival suddenly let out a great bellow, such as a calf in search
of its mother might make.

"Gracious! what's that?" cried Herring in alarm, making a dash for
the camp, the lights of which could be plainly seen.

Merritt followed in hot haste, frightened out of his wits, and
Percival broke into a hearty laugh, not caring if the two conspirators
heard him or not, and greatly enjoying their terror.

They may have done so, but they did not pause until they reached the
camp, and were challenged by the sentry.

"That's good!" laughed Dick. "And we have found out something as
well. Now we know who it was who tried to put your boat out of
commission. I have always suspected those rascals of having had
something to do with it, and now I am certain."

"Yes, but that was not as bad as-----"