"Never mind the ifs and ands, Red," said Rex. "Let's go over there and see what happens."
"He's got something in reserve," declared Peewee.
"I believe he has," muttered Red.
Kingdon went about his business, without further word. In a minute or two their own engine was going, and soon the Spoondrift moved easily out of the cove. By that time Enos Quibb's motorboat was almost at the landing where the two canoes lay.
The Walcott Hall boys could see that the fellows at the other camp had been rounded up by the excitable Pudge. They were all at the landing when Enos Quibb shut off his engine and stepped forward to make fast a line. Joe Bootleg remained in the background; but even he, it seemed, was more than usually interested.
The boys aboard the catboat could not hear what first was said by the constable, but they heard Horace Pence laugh his sneering, musical laugh, and reply:
"You're going to have some job proving that, aren't you, Mr. Quibb? We have the permit——"
"Then, by gum," the excited constable shouted, "you stole it! That's what you did. You ain't got no right to it."
"You'd better try to prove that, Enos," Horace said, still laughing.
"I'm a-goin' to," cried Quibb. "I'm a-goin' to take you fellers—all of ye—over to Squire Lowder's, an' let him decide this business. No school of tomcods like yeou, is goin' to fool Enos Quibb right along. No, sir!"