the north
shore of the lake.

The slow-moving craft was under sail and there were several men aboard
of her, as well as a pack of dogs which now and then gave tongue.
Immediately the Barnacle went raving mad. The sigh and sound of so
many canines heading toward the island that had been his own domain
for a week, quite drove the Barnacle out of such few senses as he
possessed.

He barked at the barge from the heights where the camp stood; then he
raced down to the shore and emitted a salvo of barks from the landing
on that side of the island. Then he raced back again, and so returned
to the shore--alternating in his rushes in the craziest possible way.

Meanwhile the barge drew nearer and nearer. The general question at
the girls' camp was: "Why were the men and dogs coming to Acorn
Island?"

"They can't land here without a permit," Bobby declared. "The Rocky
River Lumber Company has posted the island."

"And what sort of game can they hunt with hounds this time of year?"
demanded Jess.

"Those are bloodhounds," said her mother, calmly. "English
bloodhounds."

"Goodness!" squealed Bobby, suddenly. "Bloodhounds? Don't you all feel
just like Eliza crossing the ice, girls?"

"Not much!" cried Dora, laughing. "On a hot day like this?"

The cicadas were filing their saws in the tops of the trees and the
promise of one of the hottest days of the season danced in the shimmer
of haze over the water.

"Do you really suppose they are coming here with those dogs?" repeated
Nell.

"They have no business to land," said Bobby, again serious.

"I know who they are!" Jess cried, suddenly.

"Who?" asked her mother.

"Chet said something about a sheriff coming to the boys' camp over
yonder. And he had a pack of bloodhounds with him."

"But why should an officer of the law come _here_?" queried Mrs.
Morse.

Laura, and Jess, and Bobby looked at each other. Of course, Mother Wit
had understood the approach of the barge from the first; but she had
said nothing. Now Jess and Bobby burst out with:

"Oh! he must be after that young man."

"What young man?" was the chorus of the other campers.

"The young man who is with Professor Dimp," said the thoughtless
Bobby. "Isn't that it, Laura?"

Laura groaned. The cat was out of the bag now, and she foresaw much
trouble in the camp on Acorn Island.

CHAPTER XXII

WHERE PROFESSOR DIMP COMES IN BIG

"What under the sun are you talking about, Bobby?" demanded Lil