ing he hit Jerry a sharp blow in the face. Then he rushed at
Harry and tripped him up.

"Come on!" he yelled to Crosby "We must get away!"

Like a deer he ran off, behind a large roller coaster where all was dark.

Jerry stopped Peters, but only for a moment. Heavy blows were exchanged
and then Peters followed his chum.

"They are gone, sure enough!" cried Harry, in dismay.

And gone they were, swallowed up in the crowd which surged on all sides of
them.

Jerry and Harry searched in vain for the two evil-doers and then hunted up
the police and told their story.

A watch was set, but Si Peters and Wash Crosby managed to escape from the
beach resort without being detected.

Jerry and Harry returned to Lakeview with the Whistler, and the report
spread that Si Peters and Wash Crosby had robbed the hotel.

At first Mr. Peters refused to believe it. He came over to Jerry's home,
and threatened Mr. Upton with a lawsuit.

But the farmer quickly silenced him.

"Don't say a word to me, Mr. Peters," he said. "A boy that will try to tar
and feather another boy, and then set fire to a barn and burn up cattle,
isn't none too good to rob a hotel."

"My son is as good as yours!" growled Mr. Peters, and went off in a
perfect rage. But he bothered the Uptons no more, nor did he go near the
Parkers.

The lake was searched, and the yacht found up at the cove Si Peters had
mentioned. On board was found the valise taken from the hotel.

After this detectives were sent out to find the two young rascals. But Si
Peters and Wash Crosby kept out of sight.

Yet the day of reckoning was not far off, as we shall soon see.

About a week after this Harry invited Jerry to a drive along the west
shore of Lake Otasco.

As they bowled along they talked over all sorts of matters, and presently
Harry mentioned Si Peters and Wash Crosby.

"I wonder if they are still hanging around Harmony Beach?" he said.

"Oh, I don't think they would dare," replied Jerry. "They must know by the
newspapers that the detectives are on their track."

"I wish we could bring them to justice. It would be a feather in our
cap."

"So it would, Harry. But I would rather have the law do the work. I never
want to have anymore to do with either of them."

It did not take the two boys long to drive to the lower end of the lake.
Here the team was put up at a livery stable, and the chums hired bathing
suits and houses, and spread themselves for a fine dip in the