“Next week,” he said, “the contest for the Scoutmaster’s Cup comes to an end.  The final ordeal will start Friday.  It will be a two-day test of your mettle.  It will take place at Lonesome Woods.  A treasure has been hidden there, and blazed trails will lead to the hiding place.”

The room was still—­startlingly still.

“This time,” Mr. Wall went on, “we will have a real test of scouting.  For that reason, I have decided to award ten points to the winning patrol.  There will be no second or third points.”

The troop stirred.  Ten points!  That gave every patrol a chance.  Even the Eagles, if they won, would be tied with the Foxes for winning honors.

“Each patrol leader will select a scout to accompany him into the woods.  They will enter Friday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock.  Each patrol will start from a different part of the woods.  They will find trees blazed with whitewash.  They will follow this blaze.  When night comes they will camp.”

“Each two scouts by themselves?” asked a voice breathlessly.

“By themselves,” the Scoutmaster answered, “unless they desire to risk capture.”

The patrols murmured softly.  Gosh!  This was a real stunt.

“Each of the three trails leads toward the treasure; it has been hidden.  When a patrol comes to a blaze mark that has a circle around it, they will know that that is the last blaze, and that the treasure is near.  Two things they must then do—­search for the treasure, and avoid capture by another patrol.  Any patrol surprised by another patrol will be considered captured and out of the contest.”

“But suppose a patrol finds the treasure, what then?” called another voice.

“Then that patrol must make its way safely from the woods and avoid capture.  If it is captured, it surrenders the treasure to the captors.”

“Why,” cried Don, “that’s just like old-fashioned Indian warfare.”

Mr. Wall smiled.  “I think you’ll like it.  There will be another meeting Wednesday night.  I want every scout to notify his patrol leader in writing whether he will be allowed to make the trip if he is chosen.  Wednesday night each patrol leader will announce the name of the scout who will accompany him into the woods.  I think you’re too excited to do scout work tonight.  Would you prefer to talk this over?”

“Yes, sir,” came a roar.

Mr. Wall laughed and waved his hands.

Instantly the room broke into riot.  A night camp at Lonesome Woods, a blazed trail, a buried treasure and a threat of sudden capture!  This was great!

“Will trails cross?” cried the leader of the Foxes.  “Must we watch out for Eagles and Wolves even before we get to the treasure?”

“Perhaps,” the Scoutmaster answered.

Here was uncertainty—­and uncertainty made the game all the more fascinating.

Tim’s breath came fast.  If he could get into a thing like that—­