to spend most of the thirty dollars in the
troop's treasury for a day's outing. You needn't talk, Jiminy Gordon;
you were the first one to suggest the idea last week when you saw the man
posting the bills."

"Yes, I know I was," said Jiminy, somewhat embarrassed, "but I said it
without thinking. When we got to discussing it last night I saw how
ridiculous it was. By Jiminy, I'd rather see the money go toward a new
camping outfit, or the lumber for the troop's power boat. I wouldn't
spend that thirty dollars to see three circuses, I wouldn't."

Judging from the conversation, the circus question referred to had died a
hard death. To tell the truth, its demise had really been quite painful
so far as most of the boys were concerned, for all of them had rather
liked the idea of being able to enjoy "the World's Mightiest, Most
Magnificent Combination of Clever Animals and Human Skill and Daring,"
etc., which was booked to show in St. Cloud City a few days hence.

For a week the temptation to spend the troop's thirty dollars had haunted
the lads day and night, until finally with a great effort they had laid
the ghost by a unanimous vote that the money must not be spent on the
profitless amusement. It really was a sacrifice, for every Scout had set
his heart on a hike to St. Cloud and a day crowded full of gaiety and
glitter, not to mention a stomach crowded fuller with peanuts, popcorn
and lemonade.

"Fellows, I am just as much disappointed as the rest," said Bruce
Clifford, leader of the Owl patrol, "but I think we decided wisely last
night. We can all do without going to the circus, even if it is the
biggest one that has visited this neck of the woods in years. The
possibility of a new set of tents or the lumber for a motorboat appeals
to me more than blowing the money in on a show; that is, it does when I
stop and think soberly about it."

"Right-o!" said Romper.

"That's what I call common sense," asserted Nipper Knapp.

"Just the way we all should look at it," insisted Bud Weir, leader of the
Blue Heron patrol. "And if we were to--sh! Listen, fellows! Some
one's calling!" In an instant everybody was silent.

Bruce inclined his head toward the wire room at the other end of the
building where the headquarters' telegraph key and the instruments
connected with the wireless aerials on the roof were located. Out of the
doorway seemed to tumble a confusion of dots and dashes quite
unintelligible to any one