The faces of the boys grew crimson.  Forks were dropped on plates with a noisy clatter.

“What’s the use?” cried George Baker, getting up hurriedly.  “Fellows, we’ve got to confess that we’re beaten in the first round by a lot of girls who are a good deal smarter than we think we are, or than we ever shall be.”

George sat down again and began mopping the perspiration from his damp forehead.

“And that isn’t all,” continued Harriet, laughing.  “Unless you are prepared to tell us just how we got back into the lake again we shall consider ourselves entitled to the second honors, too.”

CHAPTER XIV

THE MIDNIGHT ALARM

The Meadow-Brook Girls shouted with laughter at this speech.  Then, after a few seconds of hesitation, the boys of the Tramp Club joined in the merriment.

“You win,” replied George.  “We can’t answer you.  Now tell us how you disappeared so mysteriously, boat and all, and reappeared just as suddenly.”

“Excuse me, but I don’t propose to reveal our methods of procedure,” laughed Harriet.  “Oh, you can’t outwit us.  You will find us ready for you every time.  We know all about last night, too.”

“I’d certainly like to know where you were last night,” said Captain Baker.

“We were near you all the time, and you didn’t know us,” laughed Harriet.  “Even when you came out here yesterday you passed us by without a single look.  You did not see us.  Then last night, when you were chasing some one whom you thought was spying on your camp, you passed us again, and—­”

“So that was you, eh?” jeered Larry.

“Who was I?” answered Harriet innocently.

“The mysterious boat we were pursuing,” answered George, eyeing her keenly.

“Harriet ith not a boat,” averred Tommy.

“No.  She is a mermaid,” declared George with emphasis.

“I beg to differ with all of you,” said Sam.  “The Meadow-Brook Girls are the original will o’ the wisps.  But you haven’t seen the last of the Tramp Club yet.  You have won twice but you shan’t win again.  Hereafter we’ll be on the alert.”

“You’ll have to keep a watch on us night and day then,” chuckled Jane.

“This pleasant spirit of rivalry makes matters interesting,” interjected Miss Elting.  “You have been very kind to us and helped to make our vacation enjoyable.  We enjoy harmless fun as well as yourselves.  I might add that we haven’t fully exhausted our resources, either.  And we wish to thank you for warning us of your intentions.”

The boys blushed sheepishly.

“Sam, you’d better keep still,” suggested George.

“That’s what I say,” nodded Larry.

“Yeth, he talkth too much,” agreed Tommy wisely.  “But you ought to have been with uth.  We’ve had an awful time, too.”

“How so?” questioned Billy politely.

“I fell in the water and Buthter made cuthtard and had no oven to bake it in, and then—­”