We might not have known anything about it
only for a blunder made by a fellow who has not the sense to read
the News every week."
The editor looked puzzled and Percival explained briefly, Brooke
laughing and adding:
"That was very funny, accusing Sheldon of plagiarizing his own stuff.
I never heard anything quite so queer."
"And all on account of his not reading your paper," rejoined Percival
with a wink at Jack. "You should make an editorial of this, Mr.
Brooke."
"Thank you, I think maybe I will," replied the editor, beginning to
peck savagely at his typewriter, and the boys left the office.
When they returned to camp after doing a few errands they were met
at the landing by Billy Manners, who said with a grin:
"Well, it is settled. Pete Herring and Merritt have gone to Saratoga,
so we will not be bothered with them any longer."
"Just as I thought," said Jack.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE DEPARTURE OF THE BULLIES
Dr. Wise had had something to do with the going away of Herring and
Merritt, although the two bullies had already decided that the camp
on the river would not be a very pleasant place for them in view of
what had occurred in the matter of the prize poem.
While the boys were out on the river and in the woods the doctor
called Herring into his study, and looking at him fixedly through
his big black-rimmed spectacles, said slowly:
"Don't you think there are some very peculiar circumstances connected
with your discovery of Sheldon's supposed plagiarism, Herring? It
strikes me that there are.
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