"Where in the world have you been?"
"What made you give us the slip that way?"
"Tell us all about it?"
Fenn, Bart and Ned, in turn, asked those questions. Frank looked from one to the other.
"I'm sorry, boys, but I can't tell you," he said. "I wish I could, and I hope you'll not think it mean of me not to. I may be able to very soon, and clear up all this mysteriousness, that is worrying me so. Until then—"
"Until then I think you'd better have something to eat," suggested Bart, noting how pale and tired Frank looked. "We brought along something, but we didn't expect to have the fun of sharing it with you. Sit down here and fill up. Fenn made the sandwiches so I guess they ought to be good."
"Yes, and if you'll wait a minute I'll give you a hot drink," Fenn cried.
From his pocket he produced a tin flask of cold coffee. He gathered up some dried sticks, and built a little fire. Then he placed the tin flask on it, and, in a little while there was a warm beverage ready. Frank sipped it from the collapsable cup Ned carried, and, after eating some sandwiches, felt better.
"Now for camp!" cried Bart, "unless," looking at Frank, "you have some other plan."
"No, I'm anxious to get back."