“Oh, we’ve got plenty,” Ned assured him. “Bart’s a good shot, you know,” and the chums took turns in explaining how they had come to make a winter camp in the woods. They said nothing about the missing diamond bracelet, however, nor about the mysterious man.
Camp was reached none too soon for the comfort of our heroes. They found nothing disturbed, and from their stock of dry wood, under one tent, a roaring fire was made. The lads changed to dry clothes, had a hot meal, which William Perry shared with them, and then he said he must be on his way.
“Can’t you spend a week with us?” invited Frank, as the lumber lad was about to go.
“I’m afraid not. This is my busy season, you know.”
“I have it!” cried Fenn.
“Let’s hear it, Stumpy,” suggested Bart. “Out with it.”
“Well,” went on the fleshy lad, “next Tuesday is Christmas. You don’t have to work Christmas, do you, William?”
“No, I guess not.”
“Then I’ll tell you what to do. Spend Christmas here with us. We’re going to have a good time. Not much in the way of presents, for we didn’t bring any out in the woods, but we’ll have a Christmas tree, even if Bart does want to hang up his stockings,” and Fenn winked at his chums.
“It sounds good,” spoke William, wistfully. “I don’t believe I can get home for Christmas, or I would go see my folks.”