“If he thinks we’re going to break camp on any bum old steer like that,” Jimmie grumbled, “he’s got several more thinks coming.”
“Anyway,” laughed Frank, “we wouldn’t feel just right unless we got into some kind of a mysterious situation. We’ve never been out on a trip that we didn’t butt into something desperate and uncanny.”
After another investigation of the locality, the boys hastened back to camp. They were met by Harry and Jack, who regarded them with inquiring eyes, seeming to be astonished by their return.
“Where’s Ned?” Jack finally asked.
“Why, we left him here,” both boys replied in a breath.
“Of course,” Harry returned, “but you sent a line asking him to come to where you were. What did you go and do that for if you were coming right back to camp? Was that a joke?”
“Joke nothing!” Jimmie answered. “We never sent any such word!”
“Then who sent that strange note?” Jack asked. “I’ll bet we’re up against something mighty serious right now!”
CHAPTER III
THE LAW OF CLUB AND FANG
“Where’s the note?” asked Frank.