CHAPTER XXIV.
CONCLUSION It was late in the evening when some sort of order had been restored in the cabin of the "Red Rover." The boys had turned to and worked like Trojans, helping to get the water out of the boat, to mend broken places and throw the broken dishes overboard.
When all was done Miss Elting served a luncheon to them, mostly canned stuff, all the other food having been ruined in the voyage across the lake.

It was during the luncheon that she made a confession for herself and companions.

She told the Tramp Club how they had dressed up in white sheets and chased the boys from the island; how they had hidden in the cave with their boat; how Jane had discovered the half-breed and narrowly missed a double discovery herself.
"And now," concluded Miss Elting, "that is the way we played our tricks.
Perhaps we won the contest but after your bravery to-day we feel that far greater honors are due to you boys." The boys, whose faces had flushed during the recital, now broke into a hearty laugh.
"That's the best joke ever played on a bunch of fellows," cried Billy.
"And you've won the wager fairly enough.

You don't need to apologize for the ghosts.

The trouble is we tried to play worse jokes on you, but you turned them on us every time.