surprise on the girls, and we don't want you to tell them we are in
town."

"My lips are sealed until you unseal them," Mr. Stanlock assured them.
"But where are you staying?"

"All of us are members of one patrol of Scouts at Spring Lake Academy,
all except Paul Hunter. We came here on an invitation from Ernie
Hunter, and we are living in a cave at the west end of Mr. Hunter's
farm."

"In a cave!" Mr. Stanlock exclaimed with some concern. "Isn't that
rather an unhealthful place for you to live? You don't sleep there, I
hope?"

"We certainly do, uncle; or, rather, we are going to, for this is our
first night. I wish you could come over and see it. It's as dry and
warm as can be. Paul dried it out by keeping a stove burning in it for
several days."

"A stove in a cave!" was Mr. Stanlock's astonished comment. "That is
surely some combination of wild nature and mechanical civilization. I
shall certainly inspect your domesticated wild-and-woolly retreat.
When am I invited to come?"

"Any time, Mr. Stanlock," Ernie interposed, with the hospitality of
host. "Name your time and we'll be there to receive you."

"You'll have quite a walk to the cave tonight, and the walking isn't
very good, I venture. Pile in and I'll take you in the machine."