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100 "More than likely it was some fellows from Clifford," remarked a voice.

"Hello! Frank, that you? Wondered why you didn't show up before," cried Paul.

Frank was keeping watch of Lef. He felt sure that he had seen a shade of bitter disappointment cross the face of the other.

"He's the one who put those benches across our walk. He wanted to trip me up if I dashed out in a hurry, and perhaps hurt myself badly. But how did Lef know there would be an alarm? Is he responsible for this nasty job here?"

That was what Frank was saying to himself. It was an unpleasant thought, and he did not want to believe it. Lef had been guilty of many mad pranks, but it did not seem possible that he would let his private grudge against a schoolmate urge him on to such a criminal deed as this burning of the boat-house.

And so Frank was sincere when he declared that he firmly believed some outsiders who were interested in heavy wagers made against Columbia winning the boat races, were responsible for the outrage.

Still, the fact of Lef arranging that trap before the door of the Allen house puzzled him. Why should the other have any idea that there might be