"I did. Why, what's the matter, Shep?"
"Well, if that don't beat the Dutch!" And then Shep shook his head in a manner that indicated something did not suit him at all.
CHAPTER II
ANOTHER OUTING PROPOSED
"Will you be so highly condescending and much obliging as to open the trapdoor of your mind and let us know what it is that beats the Dutch?" demanded Giant, after he and his chums had looked at the doctor's son for several seconds in silence.
"Why, yes, of course," answered Shep. "But er—-it all fits in with what I was going to tell you about in the first place."
"And that was——-" burst out Whopper eagerly.
"Wait till we are out on the river, away from the town folks. I don't want everybody to know our business."
"Great Scott! but Shep's got a secret!" burst out Snap. "What is it—-a treasure hunt, or a new way to make diamonds?"
"Now quit fooling, and come on out in the boat, and you'll soon know all about it," replied the doctor's son.