The cadets remained to play several games of croquet, and to partake of some lemonade and cake. They told the girls about the proposed bicycle race, and the latter said they would be on the watch to see the contestants pass.
“We’ll have cold milk or lemonade ready for you,” said Laura. “So if you want to drink it won’t take you long to do it.”
“Thanks awfully!” cried Andy. “That will be fine. I guess we’ll be pretty dry after climbing the hill below here, especially if the road is dusty.”
On the way back to Putnam Hall the three chums discussed the question of getting back Flossie’s bracelet. They had learned that the bracelet was of solid gold, with five small diamonds set in a row. It had cost at least a hundred dollars, if not more.
“If that rascal really means to keep the bracelet he ought to be horsewhipped for it!” declared Andy.
“I think he is only teasing Flossie,” answered Jack. “But he has no business to do that. She is terribly worried.”
“The idea of Will Carey wanting to kiss her!” said Pepper, almost savagely. “I’d like to—to—thrash him!”
“I think I’ll write Carey a letter, asking him to meet me in Cedarville,” said Jack, after thinking it over. “When he comes I’ll tell him he must return the bracelet at once, or take the consequence, and I’ll hint at the law. Most likely that will fetch him.”
“Want us along?” asked Pepper.
“I think it may be better if I met Carey alone, Pep. If all of us got at him he might get stubborn, thinking we wanted to have the laugh on him.”