"Yes, we are back," answered Dave. "How have you been since we saw you last?"
"Very well indeed," answered Vera. "And how did you like it on the ranch? We heard you had turned into regular cowboys."
"Hardly that," said Dave. "But we went in for bronco-busting, and rounding-up, and all that."
"Somebody said you had some trouble with cattle thieves," went on Vera.
"Oh, Vera, don't mention that!" cried Mary, and blushed a little.
"Why shouldn't we?" demanded the other girl. "I don't believe those stories, and I think Mr. Porter and his friends ought to know what is being said."
"What is being said?" repeated Roger.
"Yes."
"Who is talking about us?" demanded Phil.
"Mr. Merwell,—the young man who used to go to Oak Hall. He goes to Rockville Military Academy now."
"And what did he say?" questioned Dave.
"Oh, he said a great many things—not to me but to some girls I know. He said all of you had gotten mixed up with some cattle thieves, and had tried to get out of the trouble by blaming him, but that he and his father had made you stop talking about him."
