"Well, not altogether build it, Dick. Put it together, I may say.I did not mean to let the feline out of the bag, but now that she is outyou need not scare her all over the neighborhood so that everybodywill know that she is out. Let Pussy stay hidden for a time yet."

"Yes, but Jack, how are you going to-----"

"No, no, Dick," laughed Jack, "you have seen the feline's whiskers,but you haven't seen her tail yet, and you won't until I get ready.I have told you more now than I meant to, and you must be satisfiedwith that. I'll have the boat, don't you be afraid."

The two boys were two of what were called the Hilltop boys, beingstudents at an Academy situated in the highlands of the Hudson on topof a hill about five miles back from the river, as the crow flies, butconsiderably more than that by the road.

Jack Sheldon was a universal favorite in the school, and although hehad been obliged to work to pay for his schooling at the start he wasnot thought any the less of on that account.

Two or three strokes of fortune had given him sufficient money tomore than pay for his education, and to provide his widowed motherwith many extra comforts in addition, so that now he could give histime to study and not be distracted by work.

He had long known the value of money, having learned it by experience,and he was now averse to spending more than was necessary on thingsthat gave pleasure rather more than profit.