question fired at him by the anxious young sportsmen, especially Bluff,
who wanted to know everything connected with the game they expected to
hunt.

"He's trying to forget his great disappointment," said Frank as he and
Jerry watched the other plying Mr. Mabie with these queries; for Bluff
was the son of a lawyer, and would never take things for granted.

"What's that?" asked Jerry, for no one had been told about the loss that
had come to Bluff.

"Can't find that knife of his anywhere, it seems, and believes he must
have left it behind. He was looking mighty blue when I found him in the
room, with all our stuff tumbled, pell-mell, out of the trunk."

Frank eyed his chum as he spoke. Jerry turned a little red.

"Not guilty, Frank! I give you my word I never touched the measly old
knife. I'm sorry for him, too, for he seemed so bent on doing great
stunts with it. I'll take a look myself," he said hastily, and yet
meeting his chum's gaze in such a straightforward fashion that Frank
never doubted his word for an instant.

"No use doing that. He rooted the whole outfit over. The knife is gone,
and that's sure! I've been thinking some about it."

"And had a bright idea, I warrant. What's your solution of the
mystery?"

"Why, you see, Jerry, I can clearly recollect Nellie's startled look