“We have found out a lot that we did not know, anyhow,” said Percival, “and we can come here again.”
“Certainly I never knew about that cave,” remarked Arthur, “although I have been here two years.”
“That is not so much to be wondered at,” declared Harry. “The place is hard to get at and out of the way, and I don’t believe you could get many of the boys to come here even if you told them there was a cave to be seen. I don’t think I would care to come again.”
“I would,” said Sawyer, “but it is not an easy job all the same.”
“Bother the thing!” sputtered Billy Manners. “It is nothing but a hiding place for burglars and thieves. Pity you did not find some more of the stolen property, Jack.”
“It has probably been taken out. They could afford to leave their tools behind, but they would take everything else.”
The boys talked about the place as they made their way back to the Academy, which they reached shortly before supper, and all agreed that it was rather too great an undertaking to visit the cave again, all being tired and glad to rest after their tramp.
“I want to see how my picture turned out, Jack,” said Billy Manners after supper when it was quite dark. “Then I want to get the laugh on those fellows that said my makeshift was no good. I know it is.”
“All right, Billy,” laughed Jack. “I can fix you up a dark room in the cottage. I have developers and all that, though I suppose you have also.”
“Yes, I have everything. Have you a camera, Jack? You never said anything about it.”