“What can that boy want?” he asked.

Herbert immediately looked around, and exclaimed in surprise:

“It's Tom Tripp!”

“Row to shore, and see what he wants,” said Melville, quickly.

They were already near, and in a brief space of time they touched the bank.

“What's the matter, Tom?”

“There's a tramp in the house, stealing all he can lay hands on,” answered Tom, in excitement.

“What house?”

“Farmer Cole's.”

Mr. Cole was the farmer for whom Tom Tripp was working.