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166
THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS

they needed it, though they were glad to stop when the word was given.

"A few days of that will put you in the way of bettering your wind," said the old college graduate, with a whimsical smile. I have spoken of him as an "old" graduate, but, in point of fact he was not at all an elderly man. I merely used "old" in a comparative sense.

"I wonder what's the matter with Boswell?" ventured Sid, as they rowed the shell back to the college float, and prepared to motor back in the launch. "I haven't seen him out practicing today."

"That's right," agreed Tom. "And say, did it strike any of you as queer the way that Mexican was looking for him?"

"Somewhat," admitted Frank.

"There must be something between them," went on Tom. "I wonder if, after all, it can have anything to do with the missing jewelry?"

"What makes you think so?" asked Phil.

"I don't know that I do, very definitely. But that Mendez was certainly anxious to find Bossy, though for what reason I can't even guess. Wouldn't it be queer if Bossy had found those cups and other things, and gotten rid of 'em through the Mexican, after he found he had carried the joke too far?"

"I believe you," replied Frank. "But it's