They soon found themselves at the side of the building. All was dark, so far as they could see.
“I don’t see anybody,” whispered Pepper.
“Let us go inside—just to show somebody that we are not afraid,” suggested his chum.
They pushed open the door. A strong smell of cigarette smoke greeted them. Then Pepper stepped on an empty bottle and almost fell flat.
“That smoking and drinking crowd has been here again,” said the fun-loving youth.
“Look! look!” ejaculated Jack, pointing to a corner of the boathouse.
Pepper gazed in the direction and gave a gasp. And well he might, for as if by magic there came a spurt of flame, and some dead leaves and dry wood caught on the instant.
“Hi! what does that mean?” called out Jack. “Take care, or you’ll set this place on fire!”
No answer came back. The spurts of flame increased, and in a twinkling the old boathouse was on fire in half a dozen places!
“Jack, we must get out of here!” exclaimed Pepper. “I don’t like this at all!”