“Shall we let him?” asked Jerry of his chums in a low voice.
“Guess he won’t poison the stuff,” said Bob. “Besides it will be ready while we are dressing and we’ll not have to wait.”
Accordingly Jerry called out directions how to find the victuals, and soon the savory smell of sizzling bacon and frying eggs was wafted over the water. They had a breakfast fit for a king, and complimented the tramp on his skill.
A little later the tramp proposed that the boys take his rowboat and go fishing on the other side of the island. They were doubtful about leaving him in charge of the camp.
“I see you’re a little suspicious of me,” the tramp said. “Well I don’t blame you. However to show you that I’m all right read that.”
He held out a slip of paper, on which was written:
“This man can be trusted. Henry Dalton, Chief of Police, Cresville, Mass.”
“If the chief says you’re all right, I guess that’s enough for us,” spoke Jerry, as he handed the paper back. “We’ll take a day off and go fishing. Don’t let any one come bothering around our camp. We have reason to believe an enemy of ours is on this lake. He would do us some harm if he could.”
“There are enemies of mine, also,” said the tramp. “But have no fear. I’ll look after things.”
Getting some bait and fishing tackle the boys started off in the tramp’s rowboat. They did not take any lunch, as they planned coming back at noon.