"I may be mistaken, but I think something has gone wrong somewhere," was Bart's comment. "I don't think Joe and Fred would stay away like this of their own accord."
"Neither do I," answered Matt. "Something serious has happened to delay them."
"My father said there was a fire last night up in the direction of Hollow Cove. He said it looked to him as if it was a barn. Maybe Joe and Fred went to the fire, or maybe it was at the place where they were stopping and they stayed to help."
The boys scattered for dinner, agreeing to meet at the clubroom at one o'clock or a little after. On the way home Harry ran into Si Voup, who grinned at him.
"Well, I suppose you are about ready to take your defeat this afternoon," said the captain of the Excelsiors.
"We'll take what comes," returned Harry. "Perhaps your club will be the one to lose."
"Rats! I'll bet you five dollars we win."
"I don't bet, Voup."
"You're afraid you'll lose," sneered the captain of the rival club.
"No, I am not. But I don't bet, and that is all there is to it," and with this remark Harry walked off.