tol in evidence.

Of course they could only tell when morning came by Paul's watch.

Both Bobolink and Joe declared they were fully rested by then, and so
the return march was taken up. Perhaps Paul was a little reckless, or it
may have been he did not care very much. But it was suddenly discovered
that the prisoner was gone! Paul did not say anything, but he could
guess that Joe, for the honor of the family, had taken advantage of
their being a little ahead, to set him free.

"And boys," Joe said later, when confessing what he had done, "please
don't tell anybody that he was my uncle. Just say he was a bad man, and
that he got away. You see, we've got dad's papers, and that is all he
wanted. I hope I never meet Uncle Henry again."

And he never has to this day, for Hank and his evil companion, Pim, made
haste to leave that vicinity, which was growing a bit too warm for their
operations.

Mr. Gordon was loud in his praises when he heard the story, though even
he was not taken into Joe's secret. He declared that the storm had
passed over, leaving a track of ruin in its wake, and that they could
now leave the cave to return to Camp Surprise.

This the Banner Boy Scouts did that morning. After all, the damage to
their belongings did not turn out to be very serious, thanks to their
ready wit in cutting down the tents; and before nightfall they were
almost as comfortably fixed as before the blow.

Joe wanted to go home because of the papers; but who should turn up
while they were eating supper but his father, accompanied by Mr. Norris
and Chief Billings, proving that the hobo had not made a mistake when he
said he felt sure he had seen the latter on the way to the mountain by
another route.

Of course there was great rejoicing when Mr. Clausin found his papers
returned. Joe took him aside and doubtless told him the full
particulars; for the gentleman looked very grave, and when he returned,
he went around, silently squeezing the hands of Paul, Jack and Bobolink.
They knew he was thanking them for their promise not to say a word about
his brother even to their home folks.

With the neighborhood clear of all troublesome characters, it can
easily be understood that the Stanhope Troop of Boy Scouts began really
to enjoy their outing.

Each day saw new pleasures and competitions. Boys who were backward in
any of the various branches of work connected with the useful things a
true scout should know, were tutored by Mr.