"Well," remarked Bart, after a pause, "I guess all Fenn and I can do is to go back to the hotel, and wait for Ned and Frank to show up." The two turned to leave the turtle collector's house. William Lang was busy inspecting his queer pets, and seemed to pay no further attention to his visitors.
"William was always a little queer," remarked the lineman, as he accompanied the boys outside. "Harmless, but odd. Just daffy on the mud turtle question. I don't wonder he gave you lots to think about, or that you didn't quite know how to take him. He is all right except on turtles. He'd walk fifty miles to get a new one. But he's well off, and can afford to indulge in his fancy."
As Bart and Fenn turned into the street they saw, coming toward them, Ned and Frank. Ned was frantically waving a paper in the air.
"How'd you find your way here?" called Bart.
"People in the crowd told us you'd come here," replied Frank. "But have you heard the good news?"
"The diamond bracelet wasn't stolen at all!" burst out Ned. "We just got telegrams from home. They were at the hotel waiting for us. We went there after missing you in the crowd, when something happened on the top of the pole. We tried to follow that mysterious man, but we missed him. There are also telegrams for you two fellows. I thought you had them, or----"
"For gracious sake tell us the good news! What about the diamond bracelet?" yelled Bart.
"It's been found!" exploded Ned. "It wasn't stolen at all. It had fallen down a crack in the cabinet, in Professor Long's room, and a snake was taking his winter sleep over the crack. Yesterday the snake died, Mr. Long took it out--and found the bracelet."
"Well, I'll be jiggered!" exclaimed Bart.
"I should say it was good news," declared Fenn. "This takes suspicion from the Darewell Chums."
Two days later the boys returned to their winter camp, and, after nearly a month spent in the forest, they packed up, walked in to Cannistota, sent a teamster back for their goods, and took a train for home.
The lads arrived at their home-town at dusk. Jed Sneed was at the station to meet them.
A little later the four chums were in their respective houses, telling of their adventures to their eager parents--there was considerable to tell.