loss!" ejaculated Blumpo.

"The jewelry is said to be worth nearly one thousand dollars."

"Have they any idea who the thieves were?"

"No, they wore handkerchiefs over their faces, with holes cut in 'em for
to see. Some thinks as how they got away in one o' the boats lying up
shore."

"How did they do the job?" questioned Jerry, with much interest.

"I didn't hear any of the particklers, boys."

"Come on up to the hotel and find out," said Harry. "We haven't got to
hurry home this evening."

Side by side Harry and the young oarsman walked to the Rockpoint Hotel, a
large place, now filled to overflowing with Summer boarders.

They found every one around the resort talking over the case. Presently
Harry heard somebody say that the stolen money and box of jewels had been
placed by the robbers into a large red valise belonging to the proprietor
of the hotel. At once he called Jerry aside.

"I know who committed this robbery," he said.

"Who?"

"Si Peters and Wash Crosby."

CHAPTER XIX.

THE RED VALISE.

Of course Jerry was astonished at his chum's declaration.

"How do you know this?"

"They had that red valise. I saw it."

"Let us make a few more inquiries before we say anything," replied Jerry,
slowly. "It's pretty bad to accuse anybody of such a crime as this."

They asked a number of people about the robbery, but could gain no
information which would directly implicate Si Peters and his crony.

"We had better keep mum for the present, Harry."

"What, and let the robbers escape?"

"Oh, I don't want that to happen."

The two talked it over for awhile, and when they returned home they were
much troubled. But that night word came from New York City which mystified
them greatly.

A detective telegraphed he had captured two tramps who confessed to a
hotel robbery on Lake Otasco.

"That settles it," said Harry. "We were all wrong, and I am glad we said
nothing."

On the following day they rowed over to Rockpoint for the Whistler. They
heard no more about the hotel robbery, and the matter almost slipped their
minds. But they were destined ere long to remember the occurrence full
well.

Jerry and Harry talked matters over with their parents and made plans to
sail down the Poplar River to Long Lake, and go to the yacht races at
once.

Jack Broxton was to accompany them. Unfortunately for Blumpo, his father
was taken sick and the youth had to remain behind to attend him.

Bright and