The other grinned and looked a little foolish.
"I sure did, when I was a kid, and it's a fact, fellows," he admitted.
"But, say, I've been cured of that a long time."
"You think you have, you mean?" Max persisted, while Owen and Bandy-legs exchanged a look of intense relief, now beginning to grasp the theory that Max was working along.
"Haven't done any stunts that way for nearly five years, give you my word, boys!" declared Steve, looking a little worried at the same time.
"Oh! yes, you have, Steve," laughed Max. "You've fallen back into your old bad ways again, it seems. For the last few nights you've been prowling around our camp here, and giving me the biggest shock ever."
"You don't say?" exclaimed the other. "What did I do, Max. Tell me right away, please."
"Well, you seemed to have our precious pearls on your mind all the while."
"Good gracious! I hope now I didn't try—say? did I go anywhere near that old haversack?" demanded Steve, plainly embarrassed.
"Every time, straight for it," replied Max.
"And took something out?" pursued Steve.