ed Carl Dudder, and then he gave his
companion a peculiar look.

"Do you know anything about our boat, Bush?" demanded Snap, sharply.

"Why---I---er---that is-----"

"Don't say anything!" whispered his companion, quickly.

"What's that?" asked Shep. "So you do know, eh? What have you
done with the boat?"

"I---er---I didn't say I knew."

"But you do know---your actions show it!" shouted Whopper. "Boys,
don't let them get away until they tell us where our boat is!"

Snap and the others were quick to act, and Dick Bush and Carl Dudder
were at once surrounded.

"Look here---you---you let us go!" said Dick Bush. His face showed
how uncomfortable he felt.

"Tell us where the boat is."

"I---er---I don't know."

"That isn't true," said Whopper. "Tell the truth, Bush, unless
you want us to duck you in the lake!"

At the mention of a ducking the dudish boy lost the most of his
courage.

"Don't do that!" he whined. "I---that is, it was only a joke.
We---er---we took the boat to the other side of the lake."

"So that we could walk around to our camp, eh?" said Snap, his eyes
showing his anger.

"It was, as Dick says, only a joke---and we got paid back for it,"
put in Carl Dudder.

"How?"

"Somebody came to our camp and robbed us. We thought it was your
crowd."

"Were you really robbed?" asked Shep.

"Yes; some of our best clothing is gone and also some of our stores."

"Well, we were not near your camp, I can give you my word of honor
on that," said Snap.

"Then some common thief must have come along and done it."

CHAPTER XX

IN A STORM ON THE LAKE

Snap and his chums were much interested in what the rival campers had
to relate, and questioned the two dudes closely. They could see that
both Bush and Dudder were unusually ill at ease.

"Well, all this doesn't help us any," said Shep. "It is going
to storm and I want to get back to camp. Trot around that boat,
or else lend us yours."

"We'll have to lend you ours," said Dick Bush. "But---but-----"

"But what?"

"I---er---I can't tell you," answered Bush, and turned away.

"Is there anything else wrong?" asked Giant. "Maybe you were over
to our camp."

"Were you?" asked Snap, catching Carl Dudder by the arm.

"Let go!"

"I want you to answer me, Dudder."

"I wont answer!"

"Then it is true."

"What did you do at our camp?" asked Shep.

"Go and find out!"

Carl Dudder had scarcely spoken when he found himself