"That means keep out Hester Grimes," said Bobby, sotto-voce. "We want to keep her out of all athletics if we are to win over the other schools. She'll queer our basketball team next."
Whether Bobby's prophecy was correct, or no, must be judged by the perusal of the next volume of this series, entitled "The Girls of Central High at Basketball; Or, The Great Gymnasium Mystery."
When the crew of the eight-oared shell reached the boathouse they learned of a happening which interested them deeply. The minute the boys' eight-oared shell of Central High had come in, a policeman had beckoned Chetwood Belding and Billy Long away. The boys were highly excited by this incident, and naturally their girl friends were, too.
But it was not until the last event of the day had been decided and the crowd of spectators had broken up and gone their ways that the young folk learned the mystery. Chet and Billy had been called to the Detective Bureau, where the chief met them with rather a severe countenance.
"So you two boys had no idea what was in that lard can you brought in here the other day?" he demanded.
"No, sir," said Chet, manfully. "Billy heard those two men talking about it. And he found it. He says he thinks there is money in it."
"And I should say there was!" ejaculated the police detective, with disgust. "Those Italians had us all fooled. We got the big fellow, who was sneaking back to try and get on the island again, and of course Tony Allegretto and his monkey has always been right under our eyes.
"By the way, Master Long!"
"Yes, sir?" answered Billy, wondering what was coming.
"You said you thought those men surveying back of Stresch & Potter's the day before the burglary, were working for the railroad?"