“ Soon they arrived at the Lachine end of the Canal, and as they paddled out into the open water again, and headed for Isle Perrot, which could be seen in the distance, they could see the dangerous Lachine Rapids off to their left, churning the river into foam, and roaring like a miniature Niagara.
“No wonder they had to build a canal,” said Fleet.
“It’s a wonder to me that those rapids are passable from any direction,” said Bert.
“But they are. See that steamer! She’s just getting into them.” ”

“ The Jap spoke earnestly, as he fell into a kneeling posture in front of Chot.
“Get up, Hoki,” commanded Chot. “There is no need to kneel. We’ll take your word for it.”
But it was easily apparent that Hoki knew more than he would tell. He was afraid, no doubt, of Mr. Lawrence. Beg and plead with him as they might during the rest of the evening, he maintained the strictest secrecy. Anything he knew of the lodge—anything of the mysterious happenings of the previous day and night—would remain locked within his breast. Hoki was at least faithful to his master, and the boys admired him for it. ”

“ CHAPTER XII—THE FIGHT ON THE LAKE Fleet was the first to notice a skiff containing two men, well out in the middle of the lake and making on a tangent for the east shore.
“Look!” he cried. “What’ll you bet that those are not Dave Higgins’ robbers?”
“I don’t think that would be a safe bet,” said Bert. “What do you think, Chot?”
“They are too far away for me to judge accurately, but from this distance I should say there was a marked resemblance.”
“I wish Higgins were here,” said Tom.
“Well, it’s two miles to his place. Too far to go, because the men would then have too great a start,” said Chot. ”

“ Then, after a rub-down that set the blood tingling all through their bodies, they sat down to wheat cakes, maple syrup and coffee, with generous dishes of strawberries and cream on the side.
“You fellows may as well limber up your arms,” said Bert when breakfast was over, and the boys had spent half an hour talking over old times.
“That’s so; Bert promised us a game of baseball,” said Chot. “How about it, Bert?”
“It’s all arranged. Cleverdale has a mighty good team for a country village, and they have agreed to come down to-morrow for a game in our big pasture.” ”

“ Chot exclaimed.
“Yes, sirs.”
“Shows, then, that Bert went below. Come on, Tom. You other fellows can come or not, as you chose.”
“No, no,” said Hoki, with a shudder. “I not care to go—I know—I know! You go, sirs; Hoki stay behind.”
The boys exchanged glances. The Jap was visibly frightened, and it occurred to Chot and Tom that perhaps he knew more about Winnsocket Lodge than he cared to tell.
“I’ll go with you,” said Pod.
“Well, you stay with Hoki, Fleet,” said Chot, winking significantly, and the fleshy lad nodded. He knew that wink; it meant, “And watch him, too.” ”

“ Pod replied, dodging behind Chot, as Fleet made a move toward him.
The boys went out into the big pasture where they found a fine diamond, with the grass close-cropped by the constant feeding of the cows, perfectly level and worn smooth on the base lines. The boys uttered exclamations of delight.
“There’s nothing like a good ground, free from rough spots,” said Tom. “But I had no idea we’d find a ground up here as smooth as this.”
“Well, I’m beginning to find lots of wonderful things around here,” said Fleet. “Take those pancakes Mrs. Creighton made this morning, for instance.” ”

“ Lawrence,” Chot replied.
“How are we going to block the passageway?” whispered Truem.
“I don’t see any way to block it,” said Chot; “there’s no sign of a door, and it would take all night to fill it with rocks—and even then they could easily work their way out. I don’t see anything to do, Truem, but follow them up the passageway and place them between two fires, and if the smugglers go as far as the basement, they’ll find themselves covered by the revolvers of the boys. Coming in the nature of a surprise, that should accomplish the result we most desire. ”

“ All were hungry, so after pulling the canoes up on to the shore, the boys picked them up and carried them up on the grassy knoll, where, with trees all around them, they made preparations to camp for the night.
What boy has not thrilled with pride when he slept in the open, often with no covering save the blue canopy, studded with stars, and a moon throwing its soft rays in his face? American boys love this life, and lose no opportunity to go camping, hunting and fishing. ”

“ Lawrence left the lodge?”
“In the motor-boat, you mean?”
“Not that so much, but why didn’t he wait till daylight?”
“I couldn’t say, Chot; it’s too much of a problem for me. What were the noises in the night? Had Mr. Lawrence anything to do with them? What this and what that? One might go on asking questions forever, but finding the answers is another matter.”
“Well, he must have had urgent reasons for leaving at that time of night. No man wants to have his sleep disturbed to take a journey that can just as well be taken by daylight.” ”

“ Far from being discouraged, the Cleverdale boys started the fourth inning as if they meant to tie the score in a hurry.
“All together, now, boys,” cried Captain Biddle, “No game is lost till the last man is out in the ninth, so let’s get busy.”
But Chot Duncan was in too good form to allow the Cleverdale boys anything he did not see fit to, and he retired Cotton, Gregg and Biddle in one two three order, striking out Gregg and causing Cotton and Biddle to knock little grounders that were easily handled. ”

“ Bert went on, “and I’m going to inform the authorities on you the first chance I get. You know what the government will do to smugglers.”
“Smugglers!” muttered Chot. “Ah!”
“Of course, we know what they’ll do if they catch us,” said another voice. “But you’ll never have a chance to inform on us. It was only by accident that you ever heard us in the basement of the lodge, and even then, if you had been sensible enough not to investigate, you would now be safe with your friends. As it is, you’re in a pretty bad fix.” ”

“ He’s always taking desperate chances,” said one of the others.
“Well, he’s never been caught yet.”
“No; but he will be,” came in the tones of Bert.
Then the voices moved out of range and all was still. Quickly Chot repeated to the other boys what he had heard.
“Bert’s cry,” he said, “must have come through the tube. No wonder it sounded distant.”
“The mystery, then, is a mystery no longer,” said Truem.
“I see you are thinking of the same thing as I,” said Chot. “The smugglers have a rendezvous on the island to the north, and that is where they are holding Bert captive.” ”

“ I hate to think about it.”
“Don’t,” said Fleet, laconically.
“I don’t need your advice,” said Pod. “What I need is a cup of coffee.”
“We all need that,” said Chot.
“And some bread and jam,” said Fleet, smacking his lips.
“Who ever heard of bread and jam for breakfast?” asked Tom.
“I have,” asserted Fleet.
“That’s on the lunch or dinner bill of fare,” said Pod.
“No; it’s on the Fleet Kenby bill of fare,” said that worthy, “and that means any time of the day or night the spirit moves me.”
“Fleet’s right,” said Chot. “When it comes to eating, he moves both day and night. ”

“ The day had been rather a strenuous one, and the boys were glad to seek comfortable blankets under the tent-top.
Nothing occurred to mar the peaceful quiet of the night, and the boys awoke at sun-up for their usual morning plunge in the lake. Breakfast, consisting of coffee, bread and butter, and canned meat, was eaten with a relish, and then the boys pushed out into the lake again, eager to be on their way. They were getting well up into New York State now, and would soon cross the line into Canada. ”

“ Then Tom gave the fleshy lad a punch that sent him into Chot’s arms, and Chot shoved him on to one of the beds in a sitting posture. Then the boys tipped Fleet over, one sat on his chest, the other on his feet, and despite his struggles, he was unable to do anything but writhe and twist.
“Nice way to treat a fellow,” he cried. ”

“ I’d be willing to take Bert and quit the lodge,” said Pod.
“Not I,” said Chot “This mystery has aroused my curiosity, and I mean to see the bottom of it before I stir off the island. No matter how strange things may seem, there is a plausible explanation for everything and we’ve got to find it.”
“Chot is right,” said Truem; “there’s nothing supernatural about this. Someone is working a mighty clever scheme—that’s all. I, like Chot, want to get at the bottom of it.”
“And I,” said Tom.
“Oh, you fellows needn’t think Pod and I are going to leave you in the lurch,” said Fleet. ”

“ The boys having eaten heartily in Albany, it was decided not to stop at Troy. Darkness was falling, the moon would soon be up, and as each boy was feeling fine, it was thought best to paddle along by moonlight until a suitable camping place was found.
So they continued at a leisurely pace past the city, and were soon in the open river above. The Hudson was growing narrower now, but this detracted not at all from its beauty, and the boys were loath to leave off paddling, but the need of sleep finally led them to seek a camping place. ”

“ But the Winton battery proceeded to ignore the runners apparently.
Never had Windle batted at such an array of curves, mixed with swift balls and slow balls, as Chot Duncan served up to him during the next two minutes. The best he succeeded in doing was a foul tip which counted as a strike. With two strikes and no balls, he felt that he must hit the next one, but he did not figure on the drop, and again Chot sent his man along the strike-out route with his old reliable “fooler.”
“Hit it out, Johnson!” cried Biddle. “A single will do.”
“Johnson isn’t making singles to-day,” muttered Fleet. ”

“ And now, as Chot sprang on to the deck of the catboat, yelling for Tom and Fleet to follow, the boys knew there would be “something doing.”
“Do you want me?” asked Pod.
“No; you stay and watch the canoes. And you, Ted, climb over the stern into Fleet’s canoe—that big one over there on the end.”
By this time Tom and Fleet had followed Chot on to the deck of the catboat, and with a bellow of rage the big captain rushed toward them.
“Into the water with him!” cried Chot, “and keep out of the way of his fists. If he thinks he can beat the Experience Club, he’s badly fooled.” ”

“ She loves her father, I think, but knows he does not always deal squarely.”
“An awful position for a girl to be in,” said Mr. Kenby, with a grave shake of the head. “It’s lucky that Lucy has an aunt to stay with.”
“It is,” said Chot. “Mrs. Dashworth does not like Mr. Pendleton, and will always look after Lucy’s welfare.”
“Well, if she does not, there are others who will,” said Chot’s father, in a grim tone that sent a thrill through each of the boys. ”

“ CHAPTER I—THE COMRADES LEAVE WINTON Commencement days were coming, and soon the members of the first class would leave Winton Hall to return no more. They were a fine lot of boys, verging into manhood, and Commandant Cullum was proud of the fact that he had been instrumental in turning them out with a military training and good education to face the battle of life.
Vacation was but a week away when one afternoon Fleet Kenby dashed into the room occupied by his chums, Chot Duncan and Tom Pratt. ”

“ You get that from Chot Duncan and his crowd.”
“Chot Duncan all right!” said Hoki. His face was expressionless, but his little black eyes fairly snapped fire as he glared at his antagonist.
“Oh, he is, is he?” said Carter, advancing toward him. “I think I’d better teach you a lesson. You can’t talk impudently to your betters. Don’t you know that?”
“You’re not my better,” said the Jap boy, and as he spoke he straightened up and waited for Carter to approach.
Then, as the bully struck out straight from the shoulder, intending to lay Hoki out with one blow, something surprising happened. ”

“ The captain sat in the stern, gazing stolidly ahead. Not once did he turn to look at the boys in the canoes, or even signify that he knew they were there. The matter was evidently a forgotten incident with him.
“Well, he’s a cool one all right,” said Fleet
“Too cool for me,” said Ted Lanham, who was now sitting comfortably in the bow of Fleet’s canoe, while Fleet had moved his cushions toward the stern to balance the craft.
“Do your folks live at Greenbush, Ted?” asked Chot, as the canoes moved off up the river. ”

“ They found their canoes in the same condition as when they left them, floating alongside the fishing sloop. The captain of the sloop, a French-Canadian, sat on the deck nearby, smoking a short-stemmed pipe. When the boys appeared he arose with a grunt and helped them from the wharf on to the deck.
“You lak de ceetey—eh?” he inquired, leering at them through beady black eyes.
“Yes; it’s a fine town,” said Chot. “We like it very much.”
“Oh, Montreal, she pretty good place,” said the captain. “I leeve here all my life. I lak it, too.” ”

“ They were virtually in the Richelieu River now, which broadens out at its source until it would be difficult to tell where Lake Champlain leaves off and the river begins.
The boys found the Richelieu to be a treacherous stream. Rapids and whirlpools of a rather timid variety abounded on all sides, and frequently they were forced to steer their canoes in between huge boulders which reared themselves out of the stream.
This was new sport to each of them, and the fact that there was just a touch of danger made the trip down the Richelieu all the more enjoyable. ”

“ Pod went under the water and came up puffing.
“Swimming will limber you up,” said Tom, “and a good rub down will finish the business off.”
Pod sent up a protest, but the water was deep where his chums had carried him, and he was forced to exert himself to keep afloat. Gradually some of the lameness left him, as stiff muscles began to limber under the exercise, and after a ten minutes swim, while still lame he was able to scramble up on to the knoll with some degree of comfort. ”

“ Pod’s anger did not last long, however, and in the morning he had forgotten that there ever was such a thing as a joke about two dentists.
The boys were astir before sun-up. A fire was kindled and a pot of coffee made, and well satisfied so far as the inner boy was concerned, the boys pushed their canoes out in the stream just as Old Sol came peeping over the hills to the east.
“I want to make a good day of it,” said Chot. “We should be in Sandy Hill by to-morrow noon.”
“Sandy Hill?” inquired Fleet. “Where is that, and why do you say we should be there?” ”

“ A steady gait, with occasional periods of rest, sent them up the river to within eight miles of Fort Edward by ten o’clock that night. That was the biggest day’s paddling since they had left Winton, and each of the boys was glad to roll up in his blanket and sleep after the usual bed time lunch.
They were up with the sun again, however, and after a plunge in the river, felt greatly refreshed and in fine fettle for another day’s work. ”

“ I am going on special business, and it is impossible to say just when I can accomplish what I desire. The lodge is well stocked with provisions, and Hoki is a fine servant. He will obey you as implicitly as he does me if I say the word.”
“But, Mr. Lawrence,” said Chot, “I feel that we should protest against your kind offer. We don’t want to take advantage of your hospitality. We would rather rent—”
“That’s just it; you boys want to rent the lodge, but the lodge is not for rent. You are simply a fine lot of young fellows, athletes everyone, I imagine, and I am very fond of young men. ”

“ Chot replied.
“In your canoes?”
“Surely.”
“Of course, you know that you can’t canoe very far up the St. Lawrence?”
“We can’t? How is that, Sam?”
“The rapids, my boy. Fiercest things you ever saw. Reminds me of Niagara above the falls. I shot the Lachine Rapids, just above Montreal, in a steamer the other day, and I want to tell you there was some excitement on board.”
“And canoes cannot go through the rapids?”
“Well, I should say not—that is, going up stream, and I shouldn’t advise anyone to try and shoot the rapids coming down. It’s bad enough when you’re on a steamer.” ”