“I’ll tell you how we can soon find out all about it!” suggested Jimmie. “I know how we can find out all about that machine!”
“No, you don’t,” laughed Mr. Havens. “You don’t get away in any machine to-night! It spells trouble when you get away after dark!”
“Je-rusalem!” exclaimed Jimmie, in a disgusted tone. “I might have known I’d need my knitting when I came out on this trip! If I listened to all the advice I get from you fellows, I’d sit down here and knit myself a pair of socks, or a cream-colored necktie, just like a perfect little lady. What’s the matter with a game of checkers? Wouldn’t that be too exciting for you?” he added, with a grin.
“I don’t think there’s been any lack of excitement up to date,” laughed Mr. Havens.
“Say,” Ben exclaimed, directly, “we really ought to go and see what that Crooked Terry is doing. You know I set out once to get a duplicate copy of the map of this country which he is supposed to carry in his head.”
“Is this a conspiracy to get away from camp again?” demanded the millionaire. “Do you want to leave me here alone all the time?”
“We’ll leave Carl and Mr. Claude Mercer Du Bois to keep you company,” suggested Jimmie.
“If you don’t mind,” the Englishman cut in, “I’d like to have me dinner now, don’t you know.”
“I’ll bet it’s all scorched to coals!” cried Carl, rushing to the fire.
In a moment he called back that the ham and eggs and coffee were just as they should be, and the Englishman was soon eating heartily.