Page:The Eight-Oared Victors.djvu/219

Rh the circumstances connected with it, and the finding of the pawn tickets, was kept a secret.

I say from all, but that is not quite correct. Tom did tell Ruth all, and they both puzzled over the fact that there was no ticket for the brooch. But Tom did not tell Ruth what he had overheard between Boswell and Mendez.

"It might be Ruth's brooch that Boswell bought of Mendez, for his mother," reasoned Tom. "If Ruth thought so she might make a fuss and insist on having it back. Then, again, it might not be hers, and that would make trouble. I've got to investigate a little more before I tell her."

The Boswell family closed up their cottage the next week, and left for their mountain home, where the rich lad and his parents were to spend the rest of the vacation.

Our boys put in some hard practice in the shell, once or twice getting enough rowers so that they could use the eight. Mr. Pierson gave them valuable coaching. Then, on his advice, they gave themselves up to a good rest, and the enjoyment of camp life.

"You'll want a week or two when you don't see an oar," he explained. "There is such a thing as overdoing it. And you will soon be back at college you say, and begin hard training. So take a rest now."

And the boys did, though their "rest"