"That's all right, J.W., it's as well you did, for now I skinnyk wewill get at the bottom of this affair," exclaimed Percival in decided tones.

CHAPTER XVII

A PUZZLING MATTER SETTLED

At the same time that Jack Sheldon, Dick Percival and youthful Fulbrightwere on the river together, Billy Manners, Arthur Warren and HarryDickson were going up the road leading to the Van der Donk home,although they had no idea of going there.

When they were well away from the camp and there were no other boysin sight, Billy stopped short suddenly, and said:

"Funny thing about Herring's recognizing that girl's poem in Jack'sverses, wasn't it?"