“You bet! you know I’d follow you to the North Pole, Louis,” replied Billy, rising with alacrity.
Tug and Walter started for their tights, while the others continued to sprawl lazily around the tent.
“The chief’s right,” said Spud meditatively. “It wouldn’t be a square deal to spy on Hal. Just the same I’d like to know where he gets those fish. You don’t suppose——” He broke off abruptly.
“You don’t suppose what?” asked Chip.
“Oh, nothin’!”
“Come, Spud, out with it! What don’t you suppose?”
Spud clasped his hands about his knees and gazed thoughtfully into the fireplace.
“What does Hal do with all his spending money?” he demanded abruptly.
Chip looked up, startled. “You don’t mean, Spud, that you think for a minute he——”
“No, I don’t,” Spud broke in. “I don’t believe there’s a fellow in camp low down mean enough to try to win points with things he’d bought. But why couldn’t he have hired some one to put him next—guide for him?”