CHAPTER III.
NEW ARRIVALS AT THE LAKE.
Late that afternoon Warren Hatch and Frank went out to fish and remained until after nightfall.
Lights were gleaming from the cottage windows as they rowed slowly back.
Away at the southern end of the lake were other lights, indicating the location of the little settlement of cottagers. Lake Placid was a popular resort at this season of the year.
Joe, the man of all work, came down to the shore and took care of the boat.
"Take care of the fish, Joe," called Hatch, as he hastened after Merry, who was striding toward the cottage.
The shades were drawn and the place seemed silent enough until Frank opened the door and stepped inside. Then he was surprised and startled to find himself seized by four pairs of hands, which hustled him about amid bursts of laughter and shouts of welcome.
"Hold on! hold on!" he gasped, in the greatest astonishment, for he recognized his four assailants as his friends, Bart Hodge, Bruce Browning, Inza Burrage, and Elsie Bellwood. "Where in the world did you all drop from?"
"We have run you down at last," said Hodge; "but you gave us a merry old chase."