He darted inside, and presently returned.

"I can't make it out," he said, finally, in a perplexed tone. "Here, Tom, take a squint."

But the younger member of the Rambler Club shook his head.

"By jinks, I give it up, Sam," he remarked, slowly. "Mighty funny—I never saw a light there before. Shouldn't wonder if some camper is living in the old shack."

"Huh! And I suppose he's making a pot of coffee."

Tom laughed.

"Must be a good-sized blaze to make all that light," he admitted. "Let's take a run over to-morrow, and find out."

"I've got a better scheme than that, Tommy. Why not go out a bit on the lake now?"

"Now?" echoed Tom, in astonishment.

"Sure! It's a dandy night—not too much breeze. It will be lots of fun, cruising around. Come ahead."