those fellows happened to go camping near where Nick and I were. We
met old Skeel--you know, the prof. who used to be here. Well, he had
some scheme of finding a hermit's money hidden in the old mill, and we
went in with him. Then we found that Tom and his crowd were on the
same trail.

"Nick and I decided to have some fun with 'em. So one day we sneaked
into their camp, when Tom was out, and just took Bert, Jack and a
fellow named Dick something-or-other prisoners. Say! but they did kick
and struggle, but we managed 'em.

"We carted 'em off to the old mill, and there we put 'em in a secret
room. It was jolly fun, until Tom came, made quite a row, and got 'em
out. But it was all a joke."

"By Jove! and a good one, too!" cried several laughing voices.

"Did you get the treasure?" someone wanted to know.

"Yes, it was there all right. The old hermit got it. I don't know
just how that was, for Nick and I left. But I think Tom and the old
chap had a row, and part of a wall fell down, showing a secret room.
Oh, but you should hear how indignant Jack and Bert got when they found
we were standing guard over them! It was as good as a hazing."

"It must have been!" agreed his friends, laughing heartily.

"Aren't they sore on you?" someone asked.

"Oh, well, maybe a bit," admitted Sam, with a show of frankness. "But