“Well, what do you want? I’m on my way to Bryson.”
“So I observe,” Jack commented dryly. “What are you doing with the canoe?”
“I only borrowed it. I’d have sent it back when I got to Bryson.”
“It isn’t considered wise to borrow government canoes. But we’ll let that pass for the time being. Hand over the book!”
“What book?” Wendell countered.
“The one I see sticking out of your hip pocket.”
The chemist’s hand went involuntarily to his pocket but he faced Jack with blazing eyes.
“I’ll not hand over what belongs to me.”
“It’s Anne’s book!” Madge cried for she had seen the cover. “Clyde Wendell, you did steal it!”
The chemist half turned as though to make a dash back over the trail he had just come, but the ranger caught him firmly by the shoulder and wheeled him about.