The Boy Scouts of the Geological Survey

e awaiting the arrival of "Chief" Denmead, their Scout Master, before going over to Pioneer Lake for the opening of camp. Walter Osborne, of the Hawk patrol, and Donald Miller, leader o

he could make the next game, the set would be his, and with it the championship of the troop. He was counting on

tant Scout Master, was scoring; while several other scouts had vario

ding to place it in the far corner of the court. Instead, it grazed the

out!" cal

s next serve. He hated to lose, but he was a lad who could take defeat grace

in of the Foxes played a net game, trusting to his height and reach to stop every ball that cam

unged forward to return a particularly difficult shot which Don had placed close to the net. Biff! he just caught it and ga

rom the young spectators, R

alled. "Gam

, Walter walked up to the net a

said you were, Don," he said pluckily, "I'd hat

sponse. "Why, I remember times when you put it all ove

nd waving his cap around his head. "That's some playing, I tell you! For a c

another Fox. "Gee! I'm glad

ssed, Blake Merton, a Hawk and one of yo

utes!" he retorted. His naturally quick temper--usually kept in control

hink Walter Osborne can win all the time! Don did st

sted Blake Merton, turning his back upon D

ss you won't have any trouble

ake. "It was all I could do to be

Sherwood's only rival for the leadership. Already the Otters had held informal discussions of Dick's and Tom's qualifications, but it was still uncertain which of the two would be elected. Each was popular

lled Blake, tossing h

answere

her declared, with a g

erving. It was seldom that anyone could touch it until after he had pl

announced Dick

h a swift underhand drive, and a rally began right at the start. The game promised to be a good one and it drew m

se and buggy driven by two boys, appearing on the brow of the hill and coming along the road which skirted the tennis courts

you f

ere've you b

e to ou

e and get next

rought with them from the farm. The story of the championship match that had just been play

uss, a thief, got into the house, attacked Ralph--who's one of the best fellows on earth, boys--and stole some money Ralph had been saving. In the tussle

Tom! Tell us ab

lroad to help survey Ralph's land. We can do it, you know, as assistants to the railroad's regular surveyors, and perhaps we can show them that it would be better to buy part of Ralph's property for their l

carried him beyond the limit of his usual brief remarks. Such a long speech was a surprise to himself as w

it?" asked one. "You know, we're due

n geology this summer, and a lesson in surveying this section. Then he's alw

hen he gets here

who felt restive and impatient to enlist the services of the constable, and to carry out his other idea. Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was after half-past one. In about hal

ere he was going, set out in the direction of the station. His way took him first along Main S

d four saloons. As Tom passed one of these haunts he saw a group of men standing on the corner. They were gathered around a r

he. 'We don't want no foolin' with thet kid.' Waal, I didn't like ther way he spoke, and so I

, Bill?" said on

the back. Whereupon the sidewalk meeting adjourned. As they passed betw

e constable's office is,

is badge, for he realized that a Boy Scout would requir

uring the previous night. Then he showed Thompson the clews. The constable examined them carefully, and seemed to re

at's the mat---?" He broke off abruptly as his eyes fell upon the torn remnants in the con

And it won't be a bargain for--a burglar, unless I'm mistaken.

o Tom to follow him an

n the threshol