"You know well enough," said Percival, "so you need not be so innocent. However, I know what frightened Herring and Merritt."
"What was it?" asked Billy, and a number of others.
"Guilty consciences!" said Dick shortly, and with some emphasis, and then he and Jack went on to their tent.
"They will want to know more, Dick," said Jack. "You should not have given them a clue like that."
"I won't say any more, then. They are within hearing and they will understand, and you will see that they are careful how they talk about you to any one after this."
"Let them talk," laughed Jack.
For two or three days things went on as usual in the camp on the river, the boys doing a certain amount of study, drilling a little, exercising in the outdoor gymnasium, skimming along the river in their boats and otherwise occupying themselves, the time, on the whole, passing very pleasantly.
Then one day a messenger came from a boys' camp some miles down the river asking them to take part in a regatta, which was going to take place at the other camp in a day or so.
"We know you Hilltop boys," said the messenger, "and we would like to have some representatives of your Academy at our sports. Will you send a few of them?"
The messenger had met Percival and Jack, and Percival now answered: