"Hello, why weren't you down to supper?" asked Sam.
"We didn't get here in time," answered Roger. And then he related what had occurred on Bush Island.
"It was just like Jasniff and Merwell," said Shadow. "And like old Haskers, too! I suppose he is laughing to himself now because he made you go without your supper."
"But I am not going without it," said Dave. "That is, not if you fellows will do me a favor."
"Want me to get something from the pantry for you?" queried Sam, quickly. "I'll do it—if it can be done."
"You can't get in the pantry any more," said Phil, with a wry face. "Since Dave and I did the trick some time ago they keep the doors locked."
"And that puts me in mind of a story!" cried Shadow. "Once a little boy——"
"Quit it, Shadow!" interrupted Sam. "You don't expect Dave and Roger and Phil to listen to your yarns when they are starving, do you? Tell the story after they have filled up."
"Well, it was only a short yarn," pleaded the story-teller of the school. "But, of course, if we can do anything——"
"You can—I think," said Dave. "But you must act quickly."