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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/19295-h.zip b/19295-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..778b262 --- /dev/null +++ b/19295-h.zip diff --git a/19295-h/19295-h.htm b/19295-h/19295-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7a359b4 --- /dev/null +++ b/19295-h/19295-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6687 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View, by Laura Lee Hope + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + .right {text-align: right;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 1px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + .bboxtitle {border: double; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View, by Laura Lee Hope + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View + Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand + +Author: Laura Lee Hope + +Release Date: September 16, 2006 [EBook #19295] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW *** + + + + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Emmy and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class='bboxtitle'> +<h1>The Outdoor Girls<br />At Ocean View</h1> + +<h3>OR</h3> + +<h2>THE BOX THAT WAS FOUND IN<br />THE SAND</h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>LAURA LEE HOPE</h2> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Author of "The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale," "The Moving<br />Picture Girls," +"The Bobbsey<br />Twins," etc.</span><br /> +<br /><br /> +<i>ILLUSTRATED</i><br /> +<br /><br /><br /> + +NEW YORK<br /> +GROSSET & DUNLAP<br /> +PUBLISHERS<br /> +</div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='bbox'> +<h2>BOOKS FOR GIRLS</h2> + +<h3>BY LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<div class='center'>12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume.<br /> + +50 cents, postpaid.<br /></div> + +<h3>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Outdoor Girls Series"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<h3>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SERIES</h3> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Moving Picture Girls Series"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOW BOUND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT SEA</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<h3>THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES</h3> + +<div class='center'>For Little Men and Women<br /><br /></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Bobbsey Twins Series"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOWBROOK</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<div class='center'><br /><span class="smcap">GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK</span> +</div></div> +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1915, by</span><br /> + +<span class="smcap">GROSSET & DUNLAP.</span></div> + +<hr style='width: 15%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View</span></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> +<img src="images/p001.jpg" width="251" height="400" alt="MOLLIE BROUGHT UP OUT OF THE HOLE A CURIOUS IRON BOX." title="MOLLIE BROUGHT UP OUT OF THE HOLE A CURIOUS IRON BOX." /> +<span class="caption"><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'MOLLY'">MOLLIE</ins> BROUGHT UP OUT OF THE HOLE A CURIOUS IRON BOX.—<a href='#Page_74'>Page 74</a>.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View.</i></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">chapter</span></td><td align='left'></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">page</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Anticipations</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Interruptions</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_9'>9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Preparations</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_17'>17</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Off for Ocean View</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_26'>26</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Old Tin-back</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_36'>36</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Boys</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_44'>44</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Storm</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_53'>53</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Men in the Boat</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_61'>61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Box in the Sand</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_69'>69</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Conjectures</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_75'>75</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Cipher</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The False Bottom</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Diamond Treasure</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_95'>95</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Seeking Clues</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_101'>101</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Night Alarm</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_109'>109</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On the Beach</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Another Alarm</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_126'>126</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Anxious Days</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Picnic</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_146'>146</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Caught</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_154'>154</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">On the Schooner</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_163'>163</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Search</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_172'>172</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Smuggled Diamonds</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_181'>181</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">To the Rescue</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_190'>190</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">All's Well—Conclusion</span></td><td align='right'><a href='#Page_199'>199</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>ANTICIPATIONS</h3> + + +<p>Three girls were strolling down the street, and, as on the occasion when +the three fishermen once sailed out to sea, the sun was going down. The +golden rays, slanting in from over the western hills that stood back of +the little town of Deepdale, struck full in the faces of the maids as +they turned a corner, and so bright was the glare that one of them—a +tall, willowy lass, with a wealth of fluffy, light hair, turned aside +with a cry of annoyance.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why can't the sun be nice!" she exclaimed, half-petulantly.</p> + +<p>"What do you want it to do, Grace?" asked a vivacious, dark-complexioned +sprite next to the complaining one. "Go under a cloud just to suit you?"</p> + +<p>"No, my dear, I'm not as fussy as that!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed not!" chimed in the third member of the trio, a quiet girl, with +thoughtful eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> "What Grace wants is some nice young fellow to come +along with an umbrella, hoist it over her, and invite her in to have—a +chocolate soda!"</p> + +<p>"Why, Amy Blackford! I'll never speak to you again!" gasped the accused +one, blushing vividly, the more so as the rays of the setting sun fell +upon her face. "All I said was——"</p> + +<p>"Look!" suddenly interrupted the vivacious member of the small party—a +party that attracted no little attention, for at the sight of the three +pretty girls, strolling arm in arm down the main thoroughfare of the +town, more than one person turned for a second look.</p> + +<p>"Gracious! What is it?" demanded Grace. "Did you see—some one, Billy?"</p> + +<p>"No—something," came the answer from the dark girl with the boyish +name, and at a glance you could understand why she was called so. There +was such a wholesome, frank and comrade-like quality about her, though +she was not at all masculine, that "Billy" just suited.</p> + +<p>"Look," she went on. "Isn't that a perfectly gorgeous display of +chocolates!" and she indicated the window of a confectionery store just +in front of them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I <i>must</i> have some of those!" cried Grace Ford. "Come on in, girls! +I'll treat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> They're those new bitter-sweet chocolates. I didn't know +Borker kept them. I'm simply dying for some!" and with this rather +exaggerated statement she fairly pulled her two chums after her into the +store.</p> + +<p>"Look!" Grace went on, pausing a moment when inside the shop to glance +at the chocolate display in the show-window. "Did you ever see anything +so—so appetizing?"</p> + +<p>"It looks like a display at a picnic candy kitchen," murmured she who +had been called Billy.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mollie Billette!" reproached Grace Ford. "I think it's perfectly +splendid."</p> + +<p>"But not appetizing," declared Amy Blackford. "I don't see how you can +think of eating any, when it's so near dinner time, Grace."</p> + +<p>"We don't have dinner until seven, and it's only five. Besides, I'm not +going to eat many—now."</p> + +<p>"No, she'll take a box home, and keep them in bed, under her pillow—I +know her," put in Mollie, alias Billy. "I slept with her one night and I +wondered whether she had lumps of coal, or some kitchen kindling wood +between the sheets. But it wasn't—it was chocolates! The box had worked +out from under her pillow in the night and——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mollie Billette! You promised never to tell that!" pouted Grace. "I +don't care. They were hard chocolates, and didn't do any damage."</p> + +<p>"No, and they weren't damaged, either," laughed Mollie. "I know we sat +up eating them until your mother came in and made us go to sleep. Oh, +Grace, you certainly are hopeless when it comes to chocolates!"</p> + +<p>A smiling clerk came up to wait on the girls, and while Grace was +pointing out what she wanted, the two friends stood aside, talking in +low tones.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going this summer?" asked Mollie, of Amy.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Henry isn't just sure what he will do—at least, he +wasn't the last I talked with him about it. I suppose, though, I shall +go wherever Mr. and Mrs. Stonington go, and that is likely to be the +mountains, I heard them say. What are your plans, Mollie?"</p> + +<p>"About as unsettled as yours. I did want to go to the seashore, but +mamma is <i>so</i> afraid of the water for Paul and Dodo. Those children +never seem to grow, and half my pleasure is spoiled giving way to them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but they are such sweet dears!" protested Amy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know, but you ought to live with them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> a year or so. Did I tell +you Paul's latest?"</p> + +<p>"I think not."</p> + +<p>"Well, he has a rocking-horse, you know, and the other day——"</p> + +<p>"Have some," interrupted Grace, thrusting her bag of chocolates between +her two girl chums, and thus interrupting Mollie's story. "Don't you +want a soda? I've enough change left."</p> + +<p>"Soda? Indeed not!" cried Mollie. "And I don't want more than one or two +candies, either!" she went on, as she tried to prevent Grace from +generously emptying half the bag into her small, gloved hands.</p> + +<p>The three girls were laughing and—yes, truth compels me to say they +were giggling—when the door of the shop swung open, a girl entered and +at the sight of the newcomer the three burst out with:</p> + +<p>"Betty!"</p> + +<p>"The Little Captain!"</p> + +<p>"Betty Nelson, where were you? We've been looking <i>all over</i> for you!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, so I heard," was the calm response of the fourth girl, who swung +in with a certain vigor and lithesomeness as though she had just come +from a game of tennis or basketball. There was a wholesome air of good +health about her, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> sparkle in her eyes, and a glow in her cheeks that +told of life in the open.</p> + +<p>"I saw you turn in here," she went on, "and I knew I had plenty of time, +as long as I saw Grace with you, so I didn't hurry."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I haven't bought so much," declared Grace, with an injured air. +"Just because I want some chocolates now and then——"</p> + +<p>"Now—and—<i>then!</i>" mocked Betty Nelson, with a laugh. "Better say +<i>now</i>—and—<i>always</i>. No, thank you," and with a shake of her head she +declined some candy from the bag. "Just had lunch a little while ago. +Mother and I ate on the train."</p> + +<p>"Where were you?" demanded Mollie. "At the house they said you were out +of town, and we thought it strange, as you hadn't said anything about +going away, especially as we so recently came back from Florida."</p> + +<p>"It was just a little trip, suddenly taken," Betty explained. "Mother +and I went down to the shore to select our summer cottage."</p> + +<p>"And did you?" asked Mollie, with sparkling eyes.</p> + +<p>"We did, and, oh, it's such a darling place!"</p> + +<p>"Where?" came the question in a chorus.</p> + +<p>"At Ocean View, the prettiest place on the New England coast, I think. +Of course it's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> small, and old fashioned, and all that, but——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, how I wish <i>we</i> were going to some place like that!" exclaimed +Mollie.</p> + +<p>"So do I," chimed in Grace. "Father talks of Lake Champlain again, and I +detest it."</p> + +<p>"How about you, Amy?" asked the Little Captain, turning to the quiet +girl.</p> + +<p>"I haven't heard where we are going."</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Betty. "This is just what I expected. If you haven't any +plans, none will have to be—un-made. It makes it so much easier."</p> + +<p>"Makes what easier?" demanded Mollie.</p> + +<p>"My plan, my dear! Listen, I think it's just the loveliest idea. Mother +and I looked at two cottages. One was almost too small, and the other +was much too large, until I unfolded my plan to her. Then she saw that +it was just right."</p> + +<p>"Just right for what?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Just right for all us girls to go there and spend the summer. Now don't +say a word until you have heard it <i>all!</i>" cautioned Betty, as she saw +signs of protest on Amy's face. "You must agree with me—at least for +once."</p> + +<p>"As if she didn't always have her way!" remarked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"We four—the Outdoor Girls—are going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> Ocean View for the summer!" +went on Betty. "We'll have the loveliest, gayest times, for it's the +most beautiful beach! And the cottage is a perfect dear—it's just +charming. Mother has agreed, so it's all settled. All that remains is to +tell your people, and we'll do that right away. Come on!" and leading +her friends forth from the candy-shop, Betty really seemed like some +little captain marshaling her pretty forces.</p> + +<p>"The seashore!" repeated Amy. "Oh, I'm sure I should love it!"</p> + +<p>"Of course you would, dear!" exclaimed Betty. "And that's where you—and +all of us—are going!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you are so <i>sure!</i>" exclaimed Mollie, in accented tones.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you are so—Frenchy!" half-mocked Betty, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"There! It is all settled! We will spend the Summer at Ocean View! And +now come down to my house and we'll talk about it!"</p> + +<p>And, filled with delightful anticipations, the four girls strolled down +the sun-lit street.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>INTERRUPTIONS</h3> + + +<p>"Come in, girls! Grace, put your chocolates—what are left of them—over +on the mantel. Now sit down, and I'll tell you all about it."</p> + +<p>Betty drew forward some easy chairs for her guests, who distributed +themselves about the handsome library, in more or less artistic +confusion. Betty herself took a hard, uncompromising sort of chair, of +teakwood, wonderfully carved by some dead and forgotten Chinese artist. +The seat was of red marble, and the back was inlaid with ivory, in the +shape of a grinning face.</p> + +<p>"Do keep yourself close against it, Betty dear," begged Grace, who sat +opposite her friend. "That Chinese face positively hypnotizes me."</p> + +<p>"Well, I want you all to be hypnotized into quietness, long enough to +listen to me," spoke Betty, with a charmingly commanding air.</p> + +<p>Grace Ford, obediently depositing her choco<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>lates on the mantel, save a +few which she "sequestered" for use during the talk, had tastefully +"draped" herself on a comfortable couch. Mollie, with a mind to color +effect, had seated herself in a big chair that had a flame-colored +velvet back, against which her blue-black hair showed to advantage (like +a poster girl, Betty said), while Amy, like the quiet little mouse which +she was, had stolen off into a corner, where she was half-hidden by a +palm.</p> + +<p>"And, now to begin at the beginning," announced Betty. "Oh, I know you +will just love it at Ocean View!" and she gave a little squeal of +delight.</p> + +<p>"I wish we were as sure of going as you are," murmured Grace, putting +out the tip of her red tongue, to absorb a drop of chocolate from a +long, slim finger.</p> + +<p>"Just you wait," said Betty, half-mysteriously.</p> + +<p>And while she is preparing to plunge into the details concerning the new +summer plans, I will take just a moment to tell my new readers something +about the other books of this series, and give them an idea of the girls +themselves.</p> + +<p>In "The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and +Health," the originating idea of the four girls was set forth. They felt +that they were spending too<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> much time indoors, and they decided to live +more in the glorious open. They felt that they would have better health +and more fun in doing this, and events proved that they were right, at +least in part.</p> + +<p>As for the girls themselves, they were Grace Ford, Mollie Billette, +Betty Nelson and Amy Stonington-Blackford, or <i>nee</i> Blackford, if you +dislike the hyphen. But that latter form of name does not indicate that +Amy was married.</p> + +<p>In the opening story Amy's name was Stonington, the ward of John and +Sarah Stonington. But there was a mystery in her past, and it was solved +when, in addition to unraveling the mystery of a five-hundred-dollar +bill, Amy found a long-lost brother, whose name was Henry Blackford.</p> + +<p>So Amy's real name was found to be Blackford, though she continued to +live with the Stoningtons, and more than half the time her chums called +her by the name under which they had known her so long.</p> + +<p>Amy was a girl of quiet disposition, and while she had not been +altogether happy during the time she was unable to solve the mystery +about her identity, when that problem had been cleared up she was of a +much brighter disposition. Still, the years of quiet had had their +effect on her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + +<p>Betty Nelson, often called the Little Captain, because she was such a +born leader, was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nelson, the +former a rich carpet manufacturer. Betty loved, to "do things," as +witness her assumption of the summer plans of her chums.</p> + +<p>Grace Ford was tall and slender, and often spoken of as a "Gibson" type, +by those who admire that artist's peculiar, and always charming, +conception of young womanhood. Grace lived with her father and mother, +the other member of the family being her brother Will, a hasty, +impulsive lad, whose character had, more than once, gotten him into +trouble, to the no small annoyance of Grace. Grace had one failing, if +such it can be called. She was exceedingly fond of chocolates and other +sweets, and was never without some confection in her possession.</p> + +<p>And then there was Billy—as Mollie Billette was nicknamed. Mollie was +the daughter of a well-to-do widow, Mrs. Pauline Billette, whose French +ancestry you could guess by her name and by her appearance and manner. +Mollie was a bit French herself. There were two other children, the +funny little twins, Paul and "Dodo," as Dora called herself in her +lisping fashion. Paul and Dodo were at once the loving care and despair +of Mollie and her mother.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>So much for the four chums, who were known as the Outdoor Girls.</p> + +<p>After their activities, as set down in the first volume of this series, +they were next heard of at Rainbow Lake, where, in Betty's motor boat, +the <i>Gem</i>, they had some stirring and exciting times.</p> + +<p>But, stirring as those times were, they were equalled, if not excelled, +when <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Molly'">Mollie</ins> became possessed of a motor car, and took her chums on a +tour which ended only when the mystery of the haunted mansion of Shadow +Valley was solved.</p> + +<p>Glorious days on skates and iceboats followed, when the outdoor girls +went to a winter camp. And then came a contrast when it was learned that +Mr. Stonington had purchased an orange grove in Florida, and that Amy +had the privilege of inviting her friends to spend the winter in the +Sunny South.</p> + +<p>For what happened there I refer you to the volume dealing with our +friends' activities amid the palms. Sufficient to say that they +thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They had returned to Deepdale, their home +town on the Argono River, just as spring was budding forth.</p> + +<p>And now, this glorious day, the four girls had met once again, and were +ready for something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> new, which something seemed to be offered by Betty +Nelson.</p> + +<p>"You see it's this way, girls," went on the Little Captain, as she +explained matters. "Mother just loves the sea, and she has been wanting +a permanent place there for some time. Papa has been looking about, and +he heard of Edgemere, a beautiful big cottage, almost on the beach. He +said he would buy it if mamma liked it, and so she and I went to look at +it to-day."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say you have been to Ocean View, and back, this same +day!" exclaimed Grace, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes. We went down on the first train this morning—up before the sun, +really, and we arrived before noon. It did not take us long to decide +about the cottage. Mamma and I leased it, with the privilege of buying +in the fall, if we like it. Then we came back, and on the way, in the +train, I asked mamma if I couldn't have you girls down for the summer."</p> + +<p>"And she didn't faint at the prospect?" asked Mollie, mischievously.</p> + +<p>"The idea!" cried Betty. "Of course not! She was delighted! So, as soon +as our train arrived, which was only a few minutes ago, I started +looking for you. As I came up from the station, leaving mamma to go home +in the car,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> I spied you three just turning into the candy store."</p> + +<p>"Grace is the only one who will 'turn into' a candy store," spoke +Mollie. "She will actually turn into a drop of chocolate some day, if +she isn't careful."</p> + +<p>"Smarty!" mocked the fair one.</p> + +<p>"Well, I found you there, at any rate," went on Betty, "and you know the +rest; or, rather, you will when I tell you about Edgemere!"</p> + +<p>"Edgemere—what's that?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"It isn't a new kind of confection, even if Grace thinks so," laughed +Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I—I'll throw something at you if you don't stop!" threatened the +Gibson girl, but as all she had in her hand was a chocolate, and as she +never would have devoted that to such a purpose, she once more curled up +luxuriously on the sofa.</p> + +<p>"Edgemere—on the edge of the ocean," translated Betty. "It's the name +of our cottage. Now, girls, I'm just dying to have you see it. I brought +back some picture postcards of the place. Ocean View is the dearest, +quaintest old fishing village you can imagine. It's like Provincetown, +somewhat, only different, and——"</p> + +<p>"What's that?" suddenly interrupted Grace.</p> + +<p>"The boys," spoke Mollie. "As if that awful racket could be anything +else."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>There sounded on the porch of the Nelson home the heavy tramp of several +feet, and the murmur of eager voices.</p> + +<p>"Are the girls here?" someone asked.</p> + +<p>"That's my brother, Will—bother! I suppose I have to go home," said +Grace, petulantly.</p> + +<p>"I'll go see," offered Betty. "It sounds like more than Will."</p> + +<p>"It is!" cried Mollie, peering under the window shade. "There's Amy's +brother, besides Allen Washburn, Roy Anderson and—oh, there's that +johnny—Percy Falconer. What in the world can have brought them all +here?"</p> + +<p>"Natural attractions—the magnet—as the flower draws the bee—and so on +and so on," murmured Betty. "I'll ask them in," and she went to meet the +boys whose voices could now be heard in the hall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>PREPARATIONS</h3> + + +<p>"Hello, Betty!"</p> + +<p>"Is Grace here?"</p> + +<p>"Where's Amy? I heard she came this way—oh, yes, they're all here, +boys. We've found the right place."</p> + +<p>"Just in time for five o'clock tea, aren't we!"</p> + +<p>"What's that? Did Percy get that off? Just for that he sha'n't have any +sweet spirits of nitre!"</p> + +<p>A chorus of laughs followed the last remarks, which, in turn, were +uttered after the rather drawling manner of a tall, slim, well-dressed +lad, whose countenance did not betoken any great amount of intelligence.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is <i>time</i> for five o'clock tea!" remonstrated the youth who +had been characterized by one of the girls as a "johnny" for want of a +better term.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mercy, girls! Percy's got a wrist<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> watch!" gasped Will Ford in +falsetto tones. "The saucy little humming bird! Zip!"</p> + +<p>"Behave yourselves or you can't come in!" remonstrated Betty, who had +relieved the maid at the door. "What is this, anyhow; a delegation of +protest or petition?"</p> + +<p>"Both," answered Allen Washburn, with a quick, eel-like motion that took +him past his chums and placed him at Betty's side. She blushed a little +at this act, but did not seem displeased.</p> + +<p>"We heard you girls had been seen planning some deep-laid scheme, as you +came down the street," went on Will Ford, the brother of Grace, "and we +followed. Where is my sainted sister? Making fudge or looking to see if +some one is going to treat to sodas?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't get many sodas if I depended on <i>you</i>," observed Grace, with +pointed sarcasm.</p> + +<p>"Save me!" ejaculated Will, pretending to hide behind Percy. "Don't let +them harm me, will you, old man?"</p> + +<p>"Stop!" remonstrated the slim chap, for Will was rather violent in his +action, and Percy Falconer was anything but robust. "Besides, you are +wrinkling my coat," he added.</p> + +<p>"Shades of Beau Brummel!" murmured Roy Anderson, rather tousled in +appearance, but with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> a wholesome, boyish look about him, "Save the +wrist watch, Will."</p> + +<p>"Say, what's the idea?" asked Mollie, a bit slangily. "Are you going to +ask us out? If you are we can't go, for we have important business to +transact."</p> + +<p>"Yes, fellows, this is the annual session of the Associated Chocolate +Fiends," spoke Will. "If you interrupt you'll be fined a box of +caramels."</p> + +<p>The laughing boys and girls crowded into the library. It was not an +unusual occurrence for them all to thus gather at Betty's home, which +seemed to be a rendezvous for such little parties. But the boys seldom +came in such numbers.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why they brought that—Percy," whispered Betty, when she had a +chance at Grace's ear.</p> + +<p>"No danger—they didn't <i>bring</i> him—he <i>attached</i> himself," replied +Grace. For, be it known, Percy was not very well liked. The boys did not +care for him because of his too well-dressed appearance, and his lack of +appreciation of manly sports. And the girls did not like him—well, for +as much a reason as anything, because Betty did not care for him.</p> + +<p>Percy Falconer was, or imagined he was, very fond of Betty. And, to tell +more of the truth, Betty distinctly did not care for Percy, though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> he +tried to show her attentions. Now if it had been Allen Washburn, the +young law student—well, that is an entirely different story. But as +Allen was present on this occasion, the presence of Percy was rather +mitigated.</p> + +<p>"Girls, we've got news for you!" exclaimed Will, when he and the others +had more or less carefully distributed themselves about the library. +"Fine and dandy news!"</p> + +<p>"The best ever!" added Henry Blackford, with a nod at Amy, who still +clung to her modest place behind the palm.</p> + +<p>"And, if you're real good, we'll let you in on it," declared Allen +Washburn.</p> + +<p>"Aren't they condescending, though," mocked Mollie. "As if we didn't +have secrets ourselves!"</p> + +<p>"Shall we tell them?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Let's hear theirs first," suggested Betty.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Percy, has your wrist watch stopped?" asked Roy +Anderson, with a chuckle, for the "johnny" was anxiously holding the +timepiece to his ear.</p> + +<p>"I—I believe I quite forgot to wind it," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Serious calamity!" murmured Allen, not taking much pains to keep his +voice from Percy. That was one thing about the well-dressed youth;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> he +never knew when fun was being poked at him.</p> + +<p>"No, it's going all right," Percy spoke, after a silent pause. "It's +just five," he added, with a meaning look at Betty.</p> + +<p>She choose to ignore it, however, and at a nod from Mollie at once +plunged into the matter she and her chums had been discussing when the +boys interrupted them.</p> + +<p>"We have taken a fine cottage at the shore—Ocean View," said Betty, +"and we girls are going to spend the summer there. Don't you boys wish +you were us?"</p> + +<p>For a moment the young men looked at one another. Then smiles broke over +their faces, which were beginning to take on the tan that would be +deepened as the summer days approached.</p> + +<p>"That sort of takes the edge off our news," spoke Allen. "But we'll tell +you, just the same. One of my clients," he began, "has——"</p> + +<p>"Hark to him, would you!" broke in Will. "As if he had more than <i>one</i> +client."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will, can't you be quiet!" rebuked his sister. "Let Allen tell it."</p> + +<p>"Yes," urged Roy. "Go on, old man."</p> + +<p>"As I was saying, when interrupted by this individual," resumed Allen, +"one of my clients,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> who owns a large motor boat, has decided not to use +it this summer. He has offered it to me, and we boys have made up a +party to go on a cruise along the New England shore—Martha's Vineyard, +Block Island and all that, you know!"</p> + +<p>"The New England shore!" cried Betty. "Why, that's where Ocean View +is—in New England. If you boys motor along there, can't you come to see +us?"</p> + +<p>"Of course we can!" exclaimed Allen, quickly. "But we hoped you might be +able to take a cruise with us."</p> + +<p>"Not a very long one, though we might go for a day or so," went on +Betty. "You see, the girls are to be my guests. We were just arranging +it when you came in. But we're awfully glad you will be down that way."</p> + +<p>"So are we!" exclaimed Roy. "It's a dandy boat Allen has the use of. +Sleeping cabin and all that. We can live aboard her. Be out of sight of +land for a week, maybe."</p> + +<p>"Hardly as long as that," objected Will.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Allen wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"I'm expecting news, you know. My appointment—and all that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's so. I forgot. Well, we could put in every now and then, to +see if there was any word for you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's all this?" asked Grace, with a glance at her brother.</p> + +<p>"Just a little secret, Sis," he answered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell me!"</p> + +<p>"Not now. Later. Now if you girls——"</p> + +<p>"I say!" broke in Percy.</p> + +<p>"Hello! He's come to life!" laughed Roy.</p> + +<p>"Has your watch stopped again?" demanded Will.</p> + +<p>"This is the first I heard about you fellows going on a cruise," went on +Percy. "I—I really, I don't know that I can quite make it, don't you +know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mercy! What a calamity!" whispered Allen, in the depths of a sofa +cushion.</p> + +<p>"Will you—will you go out where it is very rough?" asked Percy.</p> + +<p>"Rough! You should see the water along the New England coast!" cried +Henry Blackford. "Why, even when it's smoothest, a boat nearly turns on +her beam ends."</p> + +<p>"Would one—er—would one get—er—seasick?" faltered Percy.</p> + +<p>"One would—most decidedly!" exclaimed Roy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! Then I don't believe I can go," went on the other. "But my +father has promised to go for a tour in our motor car, and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> may be +able to induce him to take in the New England shore. It would be +horribly jolly if I could, now; wouldn't it? What? Ha! Ha!" and he +beamed on the assembled crowd of young people.</p> + +<p>"Most beastly delightful!" mocked Will, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Where's your place, Betty?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p>The Little Captain told him, and the two moved off by themselves for a +little chat.</p> + +<p>"Say, Will, why don't you want to get too far from shore?" asked Grace +of her brother. "What's the secret? I think you might tell me!"</p> + +<p>"I will when the time comes," he said, coolly.</p> + +<p>"You're not going back to Uncle Isaac's factory; are you?"</p> + +<p>"Father Neptune forbid! No."</p> + +<p>For, as a punishment for a school scrape, Will had been sent to work in +a cotton factory owned by a relative. And, unable to stand the hard +conditions there, he had run away, and had had no end of hard times in a +turpentine camp, until, on their trip to Florida, the outdoor girls had +been instrumental in rescuing him.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not going back there," Will said. "It's a new line of work, +Sis, and while I'm waiting for a certain appointment I think I'll go on +this cruise with Allen and the others."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And do you think you'll come to see us at Ocean View?"</p> + +<p>"We certainly will!"</p> + +<p>A little later the conference of young people broke up. The boys said +they must make preparations for their motor boat outing, and naturally +Grace, Mollie and Amy were anxious to lay before their folks the +invitation from Betty.</p> + +<p>"But I'm sure they'll let you come," the latter said. Later that day she +received telephone messages from her chums, stating that they could go +to the seashore.</p> + +<p>"Then get ready as soon as you can!" urged Betty.</p> + +<p>"We will," promised Grace. Then as she carried up to her room a box of +chocolates she had purchased—the third that day—she murmured to +herself: "I wonder what that secret of Will's can be about? I do hope he +doesn't get into any more trouble."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>OFF FOR OCEAN VIEW</h3> + + +<p>"Are you going to take all those?"</p> + +<p>"All those? Why, there aren't so many, Mollie."</p> + +<p>"Well, I like your idea of <i>many</i>, Betty. Why, you'll need two trunks +for those dresses. Oh, where did you get that pretty linen skirt, and +it's quite full, too; isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, they're coming in that way again," and Betty draped the skirt in +question over her hip, holding it up for Mollie to see. The two girls +were in Betty Nelson's room, and the Little Captain was packing a trunk.</p> + +<p>At least that was the official name of the operation. To the +uninitiated, or to "mere man," it looked as though nothing was being +done except to scatter dresses on chairs, on the bed, divan and other +vantage points.</p> + +<p>"But I have to lay them all out this way," Betty had explained, when +Mollie, running over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> in an interval of her own packing, to get ready to +go to Ocean View, had gasped in wonder at the confusion in her friend's +room. "I want to see what I have, so I'll know what to take with me."</p> + +<p>"That isn't my way," Mollie laughed. "I simply open a closet door, sweep +everything off the hooks and toss them into a trunk. Then I get Felice +to jump on the lid with me, and—presto! the trick is done, Madame!" and +she laughed and shrugged her shoulders in pretty little French fashion.</p> + +<p>"I simply can't do it that way," sighed Betty. "I suppose it does take a +long time to lay each dress out separately, but——"</p> + +<p>"It is much more kind to the dresses," agreed Mollie. "That's why you +always look so nice, and why I always appear so—so——"</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare say a word about yourself, Mollie Billette!" protested +Betty. "You always look so sweet. Why, you can take an old piece of +cloth and a couple of faded flowers, and make of it a hat that looks +prettier than one mamma pays Madame Rosenti twelve dollars for when I go +with her. I don't see how you manage to do it."</p> + +<p>"It was born in me!" laughed the French girl, as with a quick motion she +draped one of Betty's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> garments about her shoulders, producing an effect +at which Betty gasped in pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Now, why doesn't that ever look like that on <i>me?</i>" she demanded.</p> + +<p>"Betty, you're a dear!" replied Mollie, without answering. "Now I am +keeping you. I must run back. I haven't begun to pack yet, and I know +Paul and Dodo will have my room in dreadful shape. They are probably, at +this minute, parading around in my best frocks, playing soldier," and +Mollie with a laughing kiss for her chum jumped up and fled from the +room to hurry home and minimize the work of the playful twins.</p> + +<p>"Don't forget the time!" cried Betty, after her chum, leaning out of the +window of her room, and breathing in deep of the balmy June air. "We +leave a week from to-day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I won't forget!" answered Mollie. "It is altogether too delightful +for that."</p> + +<p>Betty resumed her inspection of dresses, to determine which she should +take, while Mollie hastened home. But Betty had not long been alone when +the doorbell tinkled and Grace Ford was announced.</p> + +<p>"Tell her to come right up, if she will," Betty directed the maid, and +the tall, willowy one entered with a rush and a rustling of silken +skirts.</p> + +<p>"My!" gasped Betty, looking up from her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> position, kneeling amid a pile +of clothes. "All dressed up and no place to go, Grace! What does it +mean? No, thank you, no chocolates when I'm looking over my pretty +things. I might spot them."</p> + +<p>"That's just what happened to me," sighed the Gibson girl. "I had to put +on my best silk petticoat, as I spilled a lot of chocolate down my +other. I sent it away to be cleaned, and that's why I'm wearing my best +one. Don't you just love the swish of silk?"</p> + +<p>"I guess we all do," answered Betty. "Oh, dear!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Grace. "Oh, but you are going at it +wholesale; aren't you?" as she surveyed the room overflowing with +clothes.</p> + +<p>"Have to, my dear. It means an all-summer stay, you know. And I don't +know what to take and what to leave. I'm sure to want the very things I +don't take."</p> + +<p>"Take them all, then. That's what I'm doing. Only I haven't really begun +yet. I just ran over to ask you something."</p> + +<p>"Well, let it be something very easy, Grace dear. My brain isn't capable +of taking in very much this morning."</p> + +<p>"It's about Will," went on Grace, thoughtfully<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> selecting a chocolate +from a bag. "Are you sure you won't have some?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"What, of Will? No, thank you!"</p> + +<p>"Silly, of course not. I mean this candy. It's delicious! Just fresh +and——"</p> + +<p>"Cloying," interrupted Betty. "You haven't a lime drop, have you?"</p> + +<p>"Ugh! The horrid, sour things, no! But about Will. Did you know he had a +secret Betty?"</p> + +<p>"A secret? Mercy, no! Is it about some——"</p> + +<p>"I don't believe it's a girl. If it is, Will acts the funniest of anyone +I ever saw. He has a lot of books and papers he's studying over."</p> + +<p>"It might be her—letters—or—her picture that he puts in a book so no +one will see——"</p> + +<p>"It isn't that!" declared Grace with conviction. "Oh, this is a nougat!" +she exclaimed in rapture, as her white teeth bit into a particularly +delicious candy.</p> + +<p>"Hopeless!" sighed Betty, folding a skirt neatly.</p> + +<p>"I mean he hasn't any girl's picture, or anything like that," went on +Grace. "I found one of the books where he had laid it down. It is some +sort of Government report. I thought you might know."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Betty, quickly. "I'm not in his confidence."</p> + +<p>"I know, but you see, Will and Allen being so chummy, and Allen being so +fond of you——"</p> + +<p>"Grace Ford!" broke in Betty. "You shouldn't say such things!" and she +blushed crimson.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" demanded Grace, coolly. "There's no one here but us, and we +know it. I thought perhaps Will had told Allen, and Allen might have +hinted to you."</p> + +<p>"Not a word, Grace, dear. I didn't even know Will had a secret."</p> + +<p>"Well, he has, and he won't tell me. But I'll find out. He's up to +something. I only hope he doesn't run away again, or do something +foolish."</p> + +<p>"Will doesn't mean anything," declared Betty. "He is just high-spirited; +that's all. What sort of a secret did it seem to be, if it wasn't +about—girls?" and Betty laughed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm sure it isn't about girls," Grace went on, seriously enough. +"At least it isn't any girl in our set, and Will doesn't know any +others. And if it is some one in our set, they're all nice girls, so it +won't really matter—after we get used to it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" laughed Betty. "You speak as though he were engaged!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I know he isn't," declared Grace. "But he <i>is</i> such a tease. But if +you don't know, you don't, Betty. And now I must run back. Have any of +the other members of the club been over?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mollie was just here."</p> + +<p>Grace fished out another chocolate, after shaking up the bag to see if +there were any choice ones at the bottom, and then, after trying in vain +to induce Betty to accept a sweet, took her departure, saying she was +going to see to her own packing.</p> + +<p>"Now it only needs a call from Amy to make the round of visits +complete," murmured Betty, as she resumed the sorting of her garments. +But Amy did not come that morning.</p> + +<p>The outdoor girls were making ready for their trip to Ocean View, where +the better part of the summer would be spent.</p> + +<p>The arrangements had been made for the Nelson family to occupy the +beautiful cottage, Edgemere, which was completely furnished.</p> + +<p>"Even to matches and a candle in each bedroom," Betty had said.</p> + +<p>"But I thought you said it was a modern place," objected Grace. "I don't +like candles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>—excuse me, Betty dear, but they are so—so smelly!"</p> + +<p>"I know. The candles are only for emergency. The house has electric +lights."</p> + +<p>"Electric lights! I thought Ocean View was such a <i>quaint</i> old place," +murmured Mollie.</p> + +<p>"So it is. The electric plant is in Point Lomar, that swell summer +resort. Only a few places in Ocean View have electricity."</p> + +<p>And so the arrangements went on. Mollie, Grace and Amy were to be +Betty's guests during the summer, though their parents or relatives had +a standing invitation to spend week-ends and holidays at the shore.</p> + +<p>"And of course the boys are always welcome!" added Betty.</p> + +<p>"And of course we'll <i>come!</i>" declared Will and the others. "That is, +I'll spend as much time as I can away from my official duties!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he nearly told us then!" cried Grace. "Will, I'll never speak to +you again, if you don't tell me that secret."</p> + +<p>"You shall know in due time, sister mine. As for your threat, I don't +mind your not speaking to me if you don't make me buy your chocolates. I +care not who speaks to me!" he paraphrased, "as long as I do not have to +buy their candy!"</p> + +<p>"Here comes Percy Falconer!" interrupted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> Roy, and the little +conference, one of many held whenever the friends met—broke up.</p> + +<p>While the girls were getting ready with trunks of clothes, the boys were +no less busily engaged. They had completed their plans for a series of +cruises along the coast, in the motor boat <i>Pocohontas</i>, loaned to Allen +Washburn by a wealthy gentleman for whom he had done some law business, +though Allen was not as yet admitted to the bar.</p> + +<p>"I'll have a chance to practice this summer, getting the boat off a +sand-bar!" he had jokingly said.</p> + +<p>And finally trunks were packed, tickets had been purchased, word had +come from Ocean View that the cottage was in readiness, and at last, on +a beautifully sunny June morning, the outdoor girls stood at the +station, ready to take the train.</p> + +<p>The boys were there, also, as might have been guessed.</p> + +<p>"And when are you coming down in the boat?" asked Betty.</p> + +<p>"In about a week," Allen said. "We're having the engine overhauled, a +new magneto put in and some other things done."</p> + +<p>"I'm coming in the auto," broke in Percy Falconer. "Father did not want +me to make the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> boat trip, but the chauffeur will bring me down to the +shore in the car."</p> + +<p>"Pity he wouldn't use a feather bed," murmured Roy Anderson.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here comes the train!" cried Mollie. "Girls, I'm almost sure I've +forgotten half my things."</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, girls!" chorused the boys.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye!" came the answer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Grace!" called Will to his sister.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered.</p> + +<p>"That secret of mine."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. What is it? Do tell me! I haven't a second——"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you—when I come down!" his words floated to her as she was +borne along the platform with her chums to the train that was to take +them to Ocean View.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>OLD TIN-BACK</h3> + + +<p>"Isn't he provoking!" murmured Grace, sinking into a seat beside Mollie, +as the train slowly pulled out.</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked Mollie, leaning toward the window to wave to the boys on +the platform.</p> + +<p>"My brother Will. He's up to something—he has a secret and he won't +tell me!"</p> + +<p>"Don't let him know you care, and he'll tell you all the quicker. Boys +are that way," declared Mollie, with the accumulated wisdom +of—say—seventeen years.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so," agreed Grace, and then she began a hurried search +among the various articles she had deposited on the seat between herself +and Mollie.</p> + +<p>"What is it—lost something?" asked the latter.</p> + +<p>"My bag of—oh, here they are," and Grace,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> with a look of contentment, +began munching some chocolates.</p> + +<p>"It is awfully nice of you, Mrs. Nelson, to ask us down for the summer," +said Amy Blackford to her hostess when they were settled in the speeding +train. "I do so love the seashore."</p> + +<p>"Then I think you will like it at Ocean View," remarked Betty's mother. +"And we think Edgemere a pretty place."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it must be from what Betty has told me."</p> + +<p>"Do you like lobsters?" asked Mr. Nelson, looking over the top of his +paper, with a twinkle in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Lobsters?" repeated Amy, questioningly. "I haven't eaten many."</p> + +<p>"It's a great place for lobsters at Ocean View," went on Betty's father. +"That's one reason I decided on it."</p> + +<p>"The idea!" cried his wife. "To hear you talk anyone would think you +never ate anything else, and you know if you take too much <i>a la +Newburg</i> you don't feel well the next day."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take only the plain boiled, and salads," declared Mr. +Nelson. "But there's an old lobsterman—Tin-Back, they call him—near +Edgemere in whom I think you girls will be interested," he went on. +"He's quite a character."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why do they call him Tin-Back?" asked Amy. "Has he really a——"</p> + +<p>"A tin back? How funny that would be?" laughed Betty.</p> + +<p>"You must ask him," declared her father. "I didn't have time when I came +down to see if everything was all right."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what lovely times we'll have, girls!" sighed Mollie, when, a little +later, the four chums were conversing. "We can go sailing, bathing and +sit on the sands and watch the tide come in."</p> + +<p>"And perhaps find buried pirate-treasure in some cave," added Betty, +with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Can we, really?" asked Amy, perhaps the most unsophisticated of the +quartette.</p> + +<p>"Really what?" asked Grace, silently offering her bag of sweets. The +habit was almost automatic with her.</p> + +<p>"Find buried treasure," said Amy, eagerly. "I should love to do that. +I've often read——"</p> + +<p>"That's all you can do—read about it," spoke Mollie, regretfully. +"There isn't any romance left in this world. If there was a pirate's +cave it would be lighted with electricity and an admission fee charged. +And yet the New England coast ought to contain some treasure. Some +pirates used to land there."</p> + +<p>"Did they, Mr. Nelson?" asked Amy, catching<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> sight of Betty's father +again glancing over the top of his paper.</p> + +<p>"Did pirates ever land on the coast near where we are going?"</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps, yes. I believe there are several stories about Kidd's +treasure being buried somewhere around Ocean View. Or, perhaps it would +be more correct to say that <i>one</i> of Kidd's treasures. On the very +lowest count he must have had at least a double score, all hidden in +different places."</p> + +<p>"Really?" demanded Amy, with glistening eyes, and flushed cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Well, as really as any other treasure story, I suppose," answered Mr. +Nelson, while Betty murmured:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Daddy! Don't tease her!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not!" he declared. "It is possible that there may be some treasure +buried in the sand near Ocean View. Stranger things have happened."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what if <i>we</i> should find it!" cried Amy. "I'm going to look the +first thing I do."</p> + +<p>"Find what?" asked Grace, who had been looking from the window as they +passed through a town.</p> + +<p>"Buried treasure," Amy said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I thought you meant Will's secret," ob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>served Grace. "I wonder +where that train boy is?" she went on.</p> + +<p>"What for?" asked Betty.</p> + +<p>"I want another box of those chocolates. They were a new kind and——"</p> + +<p>"Grace Ford! If you buy another bit of candy before we arrive I—I don't +know what I'll do to you!" threatened Betty.</p> + +<p>The train rolled on, as all trains do, and, eventually, the little +seaside resort of Ocean View was reached. There was the usual scramble +on the part of our friends, and other passengers, to alight, and when +the girls stood on the rather dingy platform of the station Mollie, +looking about her in some disappointment, said:</p> + +<p>"Ocean View! I don't see why they call it that. You can't see the ocean +at all."</p> + +<p>"It's down that way," said Mr. Nelson, with a wave of his hand toward +the east. "Property is too valuable along the shore to allow of the +village being there. The town is about a mile back from the water. We'll +take a carriage to the cottage. You see the railroad doesn't run very +close to the ocean."</p> + +<p>Ocean View was like most summer resorts, built some distance back from +the shore, which property was held by cottage or bungalow owners. There +were several shell roads running from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> the main street of the town down +to the water's edge, however. And soon, in a carriage, with their +valises piled around them, our party set off for Edgemere, leaving a +truckman to bring the trunks.</p> + +<p>"Oh what a perfectly dear place!" exclaimed Grace, as the carriage +turned along a highway that paralleled the beach. "And how blue the +water is!"</p> + +<p>They were up on a little elevation. Down below them was a large bay, +enclosed in a point of land that ran out into the ocean, forming a +perfect breakwater.</p> + +<p>"Where is Edgemere?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Over there," answered Betty, pointing.</p> + +<p>The girls beheld a large cottage nestling amid a group of evergreen and +other trees, on the very point of land that jutted out, with the bay on +one side and the ocean on the other.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how perfectly charming!" exclaimed Amy. "And we can have still +water bathing as well as that in the surf."</p> + +<p>"Exactly," answered Betty. "That's why mamma and I decided on it. I like +still water myself."</p> + +<p>"So do I," murmured Amy.</p> + +<p>"I don't! I want the boiling surf!" declared Mollie, who was an +excellent swimmer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>They drove up to the cottage, finding new delights every moment, and +when the carriage stopped within the fence, at the side porch, the whole +party waited a moment before alighting to admire the place.</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> nice," decided Mrs. Nelson. "I had forgotten part of it, but I +like it even better than I thought I should."</p> + +<p>"It's sweet!" declared Grace.</p> + +<p>"Horribly fascinating, as Percy Falconer would say," mocked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Don't!" begged Betty, making a wry face.</p> + +<p>As they were alighting, a quaint figure of an old man, bent and +shuffling, with gnarled and twisted hands, and a face almost lost in a +bush of beard, yet in whose blue eyes twinkled kindliness and good +fellowship, came around the side path.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, I see ye got here!" he exclaimed in hoarse tones—his voice +seemed to be coming out of a perpetual fog.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we've arrived," Mr. Nelson said.</p> + +<p>"Glad ye come. Ye'll find everything all ready for ye! 'Mandy has a fire +goin', an th' chowder's hot."</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" asked Mrs. Nelson, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Old Tin-Back," replied her husband. "He's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> a lobsterman and a +character. I engaged his wife to clean the cottage, and be here when you +arrived."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm Old Tin-Back," replied the man with a gruff but not unpleasant +laugh. "Leastways they all calls me that. I'll take them grips," he went +on, as the girls advanced, and into his gnarled hands he gathered the +valises.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a delicious smell!" exclaimed Mollie, as they went up the +steps.</p> + +<p>"That's th' chowder," chuckled the old lobsterman. "I reckoned it'd be +tasty. Plenty of quahogs in <i>that</i>."</p> + +<p>"What?" gasped Amy.</p> + +<p>"Quahogs—big clams, miss," he explained. "Old Tin-Back dug 'em this +mornin' at low tide. Nothin' like quahogs for chowder, though some folks +likes soft clams. But not for Old Tin-Back."</p> + +<p>"Is—is that really your name?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al not <i>really</i>, miss. It's a sort of nickname. You see, I sell +clams, lobsters and crabs, but I don't never sell no tin-back crabs, and +so they sorter got in the habit of callin' me that."</p> + +<p>"What are tin-backs?" asked Amy, but before the lobsterman could answer, +Betty, from within the cottage, called to her chums:</p> + +<p>"Come, girls, and select your rooms!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE BOYS</h3> + + +<p>Amy remained standing beside the old lobsterman. Mollie and Grace had +followed Mrs. Nelson and Betty into the cottage. Mr. Nelson was paying +the carriage driver, and arranging to have some things brought over from +the station.</p> + +<p>"Tin-backs," repeated Amy. "What sort of crabs are they?"</p> + +<p>"Soft crabs, just turnin' hard, miss," explained the old man. "If you +punch in their backs they spring up and down like the bottom of a tin +dish pan. That's why they call 'em that. Tin-backs is tough to eat. I +never sell 'em, though some folks do. That's why they call me that, I +guess."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" remarked Amy. "Then that means you are—honest!"</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, miss, I don't lay no special claims to virtue," he protested.</p> + +<p>"But if you don't sell tinny crabs—ugh, how funny that sounds—then you +<i>must</i> be honest!" Amy insisted. "I'm so glad to know you. Tell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> me, is +there any pirate's treasure buried around here?"</p> + +<p>Old Tin-Back looked at her, startled. Then he edged away slightly.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," laughingly said Amy afterward, "as though I had announced +that I was a militant suffragist, and intended burning his boats."</p> + +<p>"Pirate's treasure, miss?" repeated the old lobsterman. "I—er—I never +found any."</p> + +<p>"But Mr. Nelson said there might be some."</p> + +<p>"Oh, there <i>might</i>—yes. And I <i>might</i> find a dead whale with a lump of +ambergris in him, as big as a barrel," spoke Tin-Back, "but I never +<i>have</i>."</p> + +<p>"What's ambergris?" asked Amy, who rather enjoyed his talk.</p> + +<p>"I don't rightly know, miss, but it's something like a lump of suet in a +dead whale, and it's worth its weight in gold. It makes perfume!"</p> + +<p>"The idea," murmured Amy, with a little shudder. "I don't believe I +shall like perfume after that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't s'pose they use none of it around Ocean View," spoke Old +Tin-Back, with a frank air. "Anyhow, we never see a dead whale in these +parts. There was one once, but folks was glad when the high tide carried +him out to sea. I guess they're callin' you," he added.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p>Amy was aware of Betty summoning her within the cottage. She smiled at +Tin-Back and entered the house.</p> + +<p>"Where were you?" demanded Betty. "I want you to see which room you like +best. There are several to choose from."</p> + +<p>"I was talking with the lobsterman," explained Amy. "He is called +Tin-Back because he never sells that sort of crab, and he hopes he can +find a lump of ambergris in a dead whale some day."</p> + +<p>"Well, if that isn't a combination!" laughed Mollie. "Oh, but I think my +room is the <i>dearest</i> one! Come and see it, Amy."</p> + +<p>"Not until she selects her own," decided Betty.</p> + +<p>Then began the settling down in the charming cottage of Edgemere at +Ocean View. The girls had bedrooms adjoining, and across from one +another along a hall that ran the whole length of the house, and ended +in a little open balcony at either end. The house stood on a point of +land, and from one end a view could be had of the ocean, while the other +opened on Lobster Bay. There was a large plot of ground around the +Nelson cottage so that other bungalows were not too near. And it was in +the midst of a little summer colony of houses, so, though it stood +rather by itself, the place was not in the least lonesome.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>Trunks were unpacked, valises stripped of their contents, closets and +chiffoniers filled, bureaus blossomed with a wonderful collection of +combs, brushes, barettes, ribbons, and various bottles and jars. For, +though the outdoor girls were not afraid of sun, wind or rain, Betty had +warned them that sunburn was not an ailment to be rashly courted, and +that cold cream, or talcum powder, judiciously used, might lessen many a +smart.</p> + +<p>Behold our friends then, a little later, well fortified within with clam +chowder and other dainties prepared by 'Mandy, the wife of Old Tin-Back, +strolling along the ocean beach. Mrs. Nelson was superintending the +efforts of the maid to bring some order out of chaos at the cottage.</p> + +<p>"It is perfectly lovely!" murmured Mollie, as she and her chums walked +along the strand. "Charming."</p> + +<p>"And so sweet of you to ask us down, Betty dear!" declared Grace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was partly selfishness," Betty admitted. "I didn't want to stay +here all summer alone."</p> + +<p>"May we always meet with that sort of selfishness," observed Amy.</p> + +<p>"I wonder when the boys will come," went on Grace.</p> + +<p>"Lonesome already?" asked Betty, smiling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No. But Will promised to let me know what new plans he had when he +came, and I've tried so hard to guess his secret that I'm tired."</p> + +<p>"Give it up," advised Mollie. "Oh, look what pretty shells!" and she +gathered several from the sand.</p> + +<p>"How damp it is!" exclaimed Grace. "Positively, there isn't a bit of +curl left in my hair. But just look at Amy's! I never saw it so pretty!"</p> + +<p>"The salt air agrees with hers," said Betty. "We'll all have nice +complexions if this Newport fog continues," and she indicated the mist +arising from the sea.</p> + +<p>"Let's sit down and just look at the ocean," suggested Amy, when they +had walked some distance down the beach, and while they were thus idly +employed, and when the afternoon was waning, they spied a solitary +figure approaching them down the stretch of sand.</p> + +<p>"It's Old Tin-Back," said Betty. "I wonder if he is looking for us?"</p> + +<p>"He seems to be looking for something on the beach," commented Grace, +"and unless he thinks we have slipped down one of those funny little +holes the sand fleas make, I can't see how he could be searching for +us."</p> + +<p>But the old lobsterman had a message for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> them, nevertheless, for when +he came within hailing distance he called hoarsely:</p> + +<p>"Ahoy there, young ladies! Your folks want you to come back. I told 'em +I'd tell you if I saw you as I come along, and I done it."</p> + +<p>"What were you looking for—treasure?" asked Grace, with a mischievous +smile at Amy.</p> + +<p>"Treasure? Humph, no, miss. I was looking for some of my lobster pots. A +lot of them dragged their moorings in the last storm, and they get cast +upon the beach sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever find any treasure on the beach?" demanded Betty.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, no, not exactly what you could call <i>treasure!</i>" was the slow +and cautious answer, "but I did find a pipe once, an' it lasted me for +quite a while. Found it jest after I lost my corncob, too. So, in a +manner of speakin', I did find suthin'."</p> + +<p>"But never gold, or diamonds or <i>real</i> treasure, washed up from a +wreck?" asked Amy, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"No, miss."</p> + +<p>"Are there ever wrecks?" inquired Betty.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, once in a while, though not usually this time of year. In the +winter the sea's altogether different, miss. It's terrible cruel and +cold. Then we have wrecks. Why, right off there, two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> year ago," and +with a gnarled finger he pointed though at no particular object as far +as the girls could see, "right off there a three-master went down one +night in a January, and all hands—eleven of 'em—was drownded."</p> + +<p>"Didn't anyone try to save them?" asked Grace.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 251px;"> +<img src="images/p056.jpg" width="251" height="400" alt="THE OLD LOBSTERMAN PEERED THROUGH A BATTERED SPY-GLASS. "THAT'S HER," HE ANNOUNCED." title="THE OLD LOBSTERMAN PEERED THROUGH A BATTERED SPY-GLASS. "THAT'S HER," HE ANNOUNCED." /> +<span class="caption">THE OLD LOBSTERMAN PEERED THROUGH A BATTERED SPY-GLASS. "THAT'S HER," HE ANNOUNCED.—Page 51.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View.</i></div> + +<p>"Oh, yes, they tried, miss, but they couldn't launch the boat, and the +wind was blowin' so they couldn't shoot a line over. The boat went to +pieces on the bar, and the bodies washed ashore next day."</p> + +<p>He told it simply, and was silent for a space.</p> + +<p>"Does anything ever wash ashore from the wrecks?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, once in a while, but not what you could rightly call treasure. +Once a banana steamer got on the bar, and they had to throw over lots of +cargo to lighten her. Folks here made quite a tidy sum collectin' them +bunches of green bananas."</p> + +<p>"But no boxes of gold or diamonds—mysterious, locked boxes?" asked Amy, +still hopefully.</p> + +<p>"No, miss, nothin' like that," and Old Tin-Back looked as though he was +not altogether sure whether or not he was being made fun of.</p> + +<p>The days passed at Ocean View, sunny, happy days. Each one brought new +pleasure and de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>light to the outdoor girls, and they lived up to their +name, for they were seldom in the house. They bathed and rowed in the +bay, or paid visits to the quaint little town, where Grace discovered an +old French woman who made delicious taffy.</p> + +<p>"So Grace's happiness is assured for the summer," declared Mollie.</p> + +<p>Then came a day when, as the four went down to see Old Tin-Back set off +from the little dock in his dory to take up his lobster pots, they saw a +motor boat heading into the bay.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if that should be the boys!" exclaimed Grace, hopefully. "They +wrote they might come this week; didn't they?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Betty.</p> + +<p>"What boat ye lookin' fer?" asked Tin-Back.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Pocohontas</i>," answered Amy.</p> + +<p>The old lobsterman peered through a battered spyglass he took from a +locker-box in his dory.</p> + +<p>"That's her," he announced.</p> + +<p>And so it proved. The big motor boat swung up to the dock and Will, Roy, +Henry and Allen smiled at the girls.</p> + +<p>"Well, we're here, you see!" announced Grace's brother. "This is the +first real stop of our cruise. Been having a fine time these last five +days. But we're glad we're here."</p> + +<p>"And we're glad to see you!" responded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> Betty. "Do come up to the +cottage. Mamma will want to see you. How long can you stay?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, a week—two weeks—a month in a place like this with—ahem! such +nice girls!" remarked Roy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what's that? You scratched me!" exclaimed Grace as she suffered her +brother to imprint a sort of half-way kiss on her cheek. His coat blew +open, disclosing something shining through an armhole of his vest.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's my—badge!" he announced.</p> + +<p>"Your badge? What are you, a pilot?" demanded Amy.</p> + +<p>"Ahem! At your service!" exclaimed Will, with a low bow, as he extended +a card to his sister. Grace fairly grabbed it from him, and read her +brother's name, while, in a corner of the pasteboard, under a monogram +device, were the letters "U. S. S. S."</p> + +<p>"What does it mean?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"That's the secret," Will explained. "I have joined the United States +Secret Service, sister mine!"</p> + +<p>"Secret Service!" repeated Grace. "What does it mean?"</p> + +<p>"It means I'm out for smugglers, counterlaws. So beware!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE STORM</h3> + + +<p>For a moment or two the girls did not know whether or not to accept as +truth the statement Will had made in such a dramatic manner. Then his +sister Grace burst out with:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will, is it really true? Is that the secret you were going to tell +me?"</p> + +<p>"That's the secret, Sis! Isn't it a good one, and didn't I keep it +well?"</p> + +<p>"You certainly did, but I didn't expect it would be that. I thought it +would be about—about—er——"</p> + +<p>She paused in some confusion.</p> + +<p>"She thought it would be about a <i>girl!</i>" broke in Mollie. "Why wasn't +it, Will?"</p> + +<p>"It may be yet. There are lady smugglers, you know!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nonsense!"</p> + +<p>"Will Ford!"</p> + +<p>"Is it really true?"</p> + +<p>"I think he's just teasing us!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus cried the girls in turn, Betty appealing to Allen in an aside to +know whether Will really had been appointed to a government position.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, its true enough," Allen said, smiling indulgently.</p> + +<p>And finally, after a little gale of laughter had subsided, Will managed +to make the girls, his sister included, understand, and believe that he +really was telling the truth. Then they inspected his badge, looked at a +sort of identifying card he carried in an inner pocket, and were +satisfied.</p> + +<p>"But what does it all mean?" asked Grace. "I didn't know you were going +in for that sort of thing, Will! How did it happen? And are there any +smugglers around here?"</p> + +<p>"Hist! Not a word! Sush! Take care!" hissed her brother, stepping about +with elaborate precautions on tiptoes, glancing rapidly from side to +side, while he flashed a pretended dark lantern, and Allen imitated the +low, shivery music of a Chinese orchestra.</p> + +<p>"They may be here any minute!" chanted Will in dramatic tones. "Quick! +We must hide those diamonds. And then, gal, at the peril of your life, +you must give me those papers!" and he hissed after the manner of some +stage villains.</p> + +<p>"Oh, quit your fooling and tell us!" demanded Grace. "Then we'll go for +a ride in your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> boat, and you can stop at the Point and get me some +chocolates, Will."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can, eh? Awfully kind, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Do tell us about it," begged Amy.</p> + +<p>"Ah, at least <i>you</i> are sincere!" exclaimed Will, with a look that made +gentle Amy blush.</p> + +<p>"Go on," urged Roy. "Then we'll get out on the water again. This weather +is too good to miss."</p> + +<p>"It was this way," explained Will. "I told dad I wanted a little longer +vacation before I started in for college, after my experiences in that +turpentine camp, and he agreed that I could have it. I don't know +whether I told you or not, but when I ran away from Uncle Isaac's down +South, I fell in with a Government Secret Service man. I guess he rather +suspected I was up to some game, but he was real decent about it, and +didn't give me away.</p> + +<p>"I happened to do him a favor—helped him trail a certain man he was +looking for, and he was good enough to compliment me on my memory for +faces. He said it was the beginning of a successful detective's career.</p> + +<p>"Well, I had no notion of being a detective, but it made me stop and +think. I <i>am</i> pretty good at remembering faces and voices, you know, +even if I do say it myself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That's right!" chimed in Allen. "I wish I had that faculty. It is the +hardest thing for me to remember the faces and names of those I meet. +But go on, Will."</p> + +<p>"Well, the upshot of it was that this government man said if I ever +wanted a lift he'd be glad to help me. He gave me his card, and, after +all my troubles were over, thanks to your efforts, girls," and he +included them all in his bow, "I decided to go in for Secret Service +work.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't as easy as I had expected, but at last I got the promise of a +chance, and I began studying up, and taking the examinations. I passed +successfully, and received my commission."</p> + +<p>"So that's what you were doing all those days you were away so much?" +asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"That was it, Sis. And now I am a full fledged Secret Service agent, +though I haven't arrested anyone yet."</p> + +<p>"And are you really going to?" asked Betty.</p> + +<p>"That all depends," replied Will. "If I see any law violations I'll have +to."</p> + +<p>"But are you looking for anyone in particular, up here?" asked Amy. "Any +smugglers, pirates, or—or anything like that?"</p> + +<p>"Bless her heart! She shall see a pirate arrested the first chance I +have!" laughed Will.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, be serious, can't you?" asked Grace, with just the hint of a snap +in her voice.</p> + +<p>"Beg your pardon, Amy," apologized Will. "You see it's this way. I'm in +the Boston district, and that takes in a good part of the New England +coast. I haven't really been assigned to any particular locality yet. +I'm supposed to keep my eyes open wherever I am, though."</p> + +<p>"Around here?" Mollie wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Yes, here as well as anywhere else. But I'm on a leave of absence now. +I'm spending a few days cruising with the boys. I'll soon have to go +back to Boston."</p> + +<p>"Well, then busy yourself and buy me those chocolates!" demanded Grace. +"You don't need to act in your official capacity for that."</p> + +<p>"Do you really think there may be pirates or smugglers around here?" +asked Amy, who seemed strangely interested in the matter.</p> + +<p>"Well, there might be. You never can tell," said Will, with a look +around the horizon as though to discover some mysterious and suspicious +vessel in the offing.</p> + +<p>After Will's explanations he had to answer a hail of questions from the +girls. The boys already knew all he could tell them. Then his sister and +her chums wished him all kinds of good luck.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And I hope we see you arrest your first smuggler!" exclaimed Mollie, +with a quick gesture of her expressive hands and shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't!" cried Amy, with a nervous look behind her.</p> + +<p>"Well, if we're going to take the girls for a ride let's do it," +suggested Allen.</p> + +<p>"How does the boat run?" asked Betty, as <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'they'">she</ins> turned her attention to it.</p> + +<p>"Fine and dandy!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>A little later the merry party of young people were out on the wide, +blue waters of the bay.</p> + +<p>Several gladsome days followed. The boys were welcomed at Edgemere, and, +as the cottage was a large one, Mrs. Nelson insisted on Will and his +chums remaining there, though they said they wanted to camp out, or +sleep aboard the <i>Pocohontas</i>. But the quarters there were rather +cramped.</p> + +<p>One day, when the boys were coming back in the boat with the girls, the +engine suddenly stopped while they were still a short distance from the +dock.</p> + +<p>"Hello! What's up? Trouble?" asked Roy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's that magneto again," decided Allen. "I think I'd better tie +her up and get a new one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> It will be giving us trouble all summer if I +don't."</p> + +<p>And then, as the craft was ingloriously paddled up to the dock, the boys +held a mysterious conversation regarding ground-wires, brushes, platinum +points, spark plugs and batteries.</p> + +<p>"Oh, will the boat have to go to the repair shop?" asked Betty.</p> + +<p>"Will you be sorry?" returned Allen, meaningly.</p> + +<p>"You know I shall. I do so enjoy—the water," she answered with a little +blush and a bright glance.</p> + +<p>"You sha'n't miss anything," he declared. "I'll charter a sailboat while +the <i>Pocohontas</i> is laid up."</p> + +<p>And this he did, arranging with Old Tin-Back for the hire of a catboat +that would hold all the party. Thus the glorious summer days were used +to best advantage, the young people cruising about the bay, fishing and +bathing as suited their fancy.</p> + +<p>"Not going out to-day; are ye?" asked Old Tin-Back, as he came down to +the dock one morning, and found the boys and girls about to start off.</p> + +<p>"We certainly are!" declared Will. "I think something will happen +to-day. I have a feeling in my bones that I may land a smuggler or +two."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Will!" expostulated his sister. "Don't joke. That may be serious."</p> + +<p>"I only hope it <i>is</i> serious," he declared.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter with going out to-day?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p>"Wa'al, it looks like a squall," replied the old lobsterman. "If ye do +go don't go out too far."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't want to go!" objected Grace.</p> + +<p>The others laughed Grace out of her fears, and they started off in the +sailboat, the motor craft having been left at the repair dock some +distance up the coast.</p> + +<p>As they swung and dipped over the blue waters of the bay, the signs of +the storm increased, and the girls, becoming more and more nervous, +insisted on the boys keeping close to shore.</p> + +<p>And finally, when they were some distance from Ocean View, but +fortunately near a little sheltering cove, the storm broke with sudden +fury.</p> + +<p>"Down with that sail!" yelled Allen, as the gust struck the boat, +heeling her over so that one rail dipped well under water.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we're going to capsize!" screamed Grace.</p> + +<p>"Keep still!" ordered her brother.</p> + +<p>With frightened eyes the girls clung to one another, huddled together in +the little cockpit cabin, while a big wave coming from the stern seemed +to threaten to swamp them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE MEN IN THE BOAT</h3> + + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" screamed Grace. "We'll be drowned!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Keep quiet!" commanded Will, with the authority only a +brother could have displayed on such an occasion. His stern voice had +the desired effect and Grace ceased clinging to her chums with a grip +that really endangered them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm so sorry I was silly!" she exclaimed contritely, as the big +wave passed harmlessly under the sailboat. Then the craft swung behind a +projecting point of land and they were in calmer waters. Allen had let +the sail come down on the run, and all danger of capsizing was over. The +wind still blew in fitful gusts, however, and the rain, which had been +holding off, came down in a drenching shower.</p> + +<p>"Get out the mackintoshes!" cried Roy, for those garments had been +brought with them at the suggestion of Old Tin-Back.</p> + +<p>Protected now against the downpour, and in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> calmer waters, the young +people were themselves once more. The jib gave way enough to the craft +for Allen to head it toward a little dock which seemed to be the landing +place of the neighborhood fishermen.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked Will. "Stay here until the storm is +over?"</p> + +<p>"Might as well," Allen answered. "And yet—hello! What's that?" he +interrupted himself suddenly, pointing out to the bay.</p> + +<p>"A motor boat broken loose from its mooring," answered Roy.</p> + +<p>"And if it isn't the <i>Pocohontas</i> I miss my guess!" added Amy's brother.</p> + +<p>"That's right!" declared Allen. "John's repair shop is in this cove. He +must have anchored her out, and the storm tore her loose. He evidently +doesn't know it."</p> + +<p>"Well, we know it!" cried Will, "and she'll be on those rocks in a few +minutes more. See! She's drifting right toward them!"</p> + +<p>It needed but a glance to disclose this. The drifting motor boat, under +the influence of wind and waves, was heading straight toward some +half-submerged but sharp rocks that were a danger-point in the little +cove.</p> + +<p>"What's to be done?" demanded Roy.</p> + +<p>"You must save your boat, that's certain!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> put in Betty, thus +sustaining her reputation as a Little Captain.</p> + +<p>"We've got to," said Will. "But to take you girls out there again——"</p> + +<p>"Don't you dare do it, in this storm!" broke in Grace, for the wind and +rain had now reached their height.</p> + +<p>"Can't you land us?" asked Betty, taking in the situation at a glance. +"That will be best. Put us on shore and then this boat will be so much +easier to handle. The wind is right, and you can get the <i>Pocohontas</i> +before she goes on the rocks."</p> + +<p>"She's got the idea," declared Allen, admiringly. "We can save our boat, +if we hustle."</p> + +<p>"Then—'hustle'!" cried Betty, with a little blush, as she shook her +head to rid her flashing eyes of raindrops. "Put us ashore at the dock, +and save the <i>Pocohontas</i>."</p> + +<p>"But what will you do?" asked Allen. "I don't like to leave you on the +beach alone."</p> + +<p>"We four girls won't be lonesome," declared Mollie. "It isn't the first +time we've roughed it. Besides, there is some sort of a fisherman's +shanty there. We'll go inside, if the storm gets too bad. But I think it +is going to clear."</p> + +<p>Indeed there were indications that the weather at least was going to get +no worse. There was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> a hasty conference among the boys, who cast anxious +eyes toward their drifting boat. Then the sailing craft was worked up to +the little dock, and the girls sprang out.</p> + +<p>"We'll come back for you," promised Will.</p> + +<p>"If you can't it will be all right," Betty assured him. "We can walk +back along the beach after the storm. It isn't more than a mile or two, +and we haven't done very much walking lately."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll see what happens," spoke Allen, anxious to get out to the +<i>Pocohontas</i>, which was dangerously near the rocks.</p> + +<p>The girls paused on the dock a moment, to watch the boys beating back +out over the bay, and then turned to go up the beach. They had never +been on this part of the coast before. It was lonesome and deserted, +save for one rather shabby hut just above high-water mark. Over beyond +some distant sand dunes, the boys had been told, was the establishment +of the boat-builder, where they had taken their craft to have a new +magneto put in.</p> + +<p>"Shall we go in and ask for shelter?" asked Amy, as they neared the hut.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's raining pretty hard," returned Grace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let's go in!" said Betty, suddenly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> as she looked at a +window of the hut. "It's much nicer outside."</p> + +<p>"But it's raining so!" protested Mollie, with a quick look at her chum.</p> + +<p>"I know. But we're neither sugar nor salt, and this isn't the first rain +we've been out in. Besides, I'm sure, in there, it will smell of—fish! +I can't bear to be shut up in a stuffy cabin that smells of fish. I vote +we stay out. See, it is beginning to clear already," and she pointed to +a streak of light in the west.</p> + +<p>"Is that your real reason—a dislike of the smell of—fish?" asked +Mollie, in a low voice, that Betty alone could hear.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly, no," was the reply, equally guarded. "I happened to catch +a glimpse of some faces at the window of that hut, and I did not like +the look of them—they were—ugh! I don't know what to say," and Betty +gave a slight shiver that was not caused entirely by the chilling rain.</p> + +<p>"I saw them, too," spoke Mollie, in louder tones now, for Grace and Amy +had walked on ahead. "And one of them was—a woman's face."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but such a face!" agreed Betty. "It was hard—cruel—oh, I'll +never go in that hut."</p> + +<p>"Nor will I. The rain is stopping, I think."</p> + +<p>"Then let's walk back to Ocean View," pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>posed Betty. "What do you say, +girls?" she called to Amy and Grace. "Shall we walk back? It's stopping, +and the sand will be firm and hard after the rain."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind," spoke Amy, always willing to be accommodating.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I suppose we'll have to, if the boys don't come for us," +assented Grace.</p> + +<p>"They won't be back for some time," declared Betty. "See, they have just +reached the boat, and in time, too, I think. A little later she would +have been on the rocks."</p> + +<p>Allen and his chums had indeed been fortunate in saving the +<i>Pocohontas</i>. Through the clearing air the girls watched them preparing +to tow the motor craft back.</p> + +<p>"It will be some time before they can come for us," repeated Betty. "We +might as well go on."</p> + +<p>"But they won't know where we are," objected Grace, who did not +altogether relish the idea of walking. She was wearing shoes with very +high heels.</p> + +<p>"They'll understand," responded Betty. "See, they are looking this way. +I'll give them some sign language they'll understand," and she began +waving her arms, and pointing in the direction of Ocean View, down the +coast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who in the world will understand that?" demanded Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Allen will," answered Betty.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Mollie with a laugh. "Then this isn't the first time you +have talked with him in sign language."</p> + +<p>"Silly!" protested Betty. "Come on, girls," and she strode off down the +wet sands. The rain had almost stopped.</p> + +<p>"This is better than waiting back in that hut," observed Mollie, walking +beside the Little Captain.</p> + +<p>"I should say so!" exclaimed Betty. "Oh, those horrid faces."</p> + +<p>"Just like smugglers!" declared Mollie.</p> + +<p>"What's that about smugglers?" demanded Grace, quickly, turning around. +She was in advance with Amy.</p> + +<p>"Oh—nothing," spoke Betty, and Grace resumed her talk with her other +chum.</p> + +<p>The girls walked along the beach. Now a turn of the coast hid the boys +from sight, and their work of towing back the drifting motor boat.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's farther than I thought!" sighed Grace, as the atmosphere +became clearer, and, some distance down the coast they could see the +little village of Ocean View.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't far at all!" declared Betty. "We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> haven't done enough +walking lately, that's the reason. We'll soon be there."</p> + +<p>As the girls made a turn around some high sand dunes they heard the +staccato puffing of a motor boat.</p> + +<p>"Can that be the boys?" asked Mollie, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Of course not! They are away behind us," declared Betty, "and that +sound came from in front. See, there it is—a motor boat," and she +pointed to one just leaving the shore of a little cove.</p> + +<p>Several men had evidently just leaped into the craft which, because of +the shallow water, had to be shoved some distance out.</p> + +<p>Then a strange thing happened. The men appeared to be surprised at the +sight of the girls—an unexpected sight, it would appear—for some of +them seemed anxious to put back, while others were urgent for keeping on +out into the bay.</p> + +<p>"That's queer!" commented Betty.</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"Those men seem anxious to come back; at least, some of them do, and +others don't," went on Betty. "Look, they seem to be quarreling among +themselves!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>THE BOX IN THE SAND</h3> + + +<p>"Goodness!" cried Grace, shrinking back against Betty. "They are +fighting!"</p> + +<p>"It does look so," responded the Little Captain. "One man seems to be +trying to jump overboard!"</p> + +<p>It did so appear to the outdoor girls. The motor boat containing the +half-dozen rough-looking men was rapidly leaving the shore of the cove, +but one man in it seemed anxious to return to the beach. His companions +had forcibly to restrain him, as he seemed willing to leap into the +water, and swim back.</p> + +<p>Confused shouts and cries came from the men in the boat, as though they +were of several opinions. Finally, however, the majority seemed to gain +their point, and the man who had appeared so excited quieted down.</p> + +<p>But, as the boat gathered headway, this man, sitting in the stern, never +took his eyes from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> four girls. He watched them until the craft was +so far out that his features could not be distinguished.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't that odd?" demanded Amy, being the first to speak after the +little episode.</p> + +<p>"It certainly was," agreed Betty.</p> + +<p>"They seemed afraid—yes, actually afraid of us," put in Grace.</p> + +<p>"And there wasn't the least need of it," laughed Mollie. "I wouldn't +have harmed one of those men—oh, for anything!"</p> + +<p>"I guess not!" Amy declared. "I was all ready to run if they headed +their boat back this way."</p> + +<p>"What in the world do you suppose was the matter?" asked Grace, as they +stood looking after the vanishing boat. The boys were no longer in +sight, being hidden from view behind a projecting point of land.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps this is private grounds we are on," suggested Mollie, "and they +didn't like to see us trespassing."</p> + +<p>"It couldn't have been that," Grace remarked. "Everyone walks along the +beach, and I believe no one is allowed to claim any land below high +water mark, so it couldn't have been that."</p> + +<p>"Maybe there are quicksands here!" exclaimed Amy, looking nervously +about. "There are such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> things, you know. The Goodwin Sands, in England, +are awful. If you once are caught in a quicksand you never get out."</p> + +<p>"Nothing like that around here," asserted Betty. "If there was, you can +depend on it, Daddy never would have hired a cottage."</p> + +<p>"Besides," added Grace, "if there had been danger the men would not have +been in two minds about coming back to warn us. They would surely not +have let us run into danger."</p> + +<p>"No, it couldn't have been that," decided Betty. "But the men were +certainly divided in opinion about coming back here, and they must have +left just before we came in sight. Well, it will never be solved, I +suppose, but I don't know that it need worry us. Though if the boys were +here I think they would make quite a mystery of it."</p> + +<p>"Will would make quite a fuss about it, if he were here, I guess," +laughed Grace. "He'd be sure the men were pirates, or something like +that, show his new badge and want to question them."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm glad he isn't here!" exclaimed Amy, with such warmth that +Grace exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Amy! I never knew you cared—so much."</p> + +<p>"I don't! That is—yes, of course I care! That is—oh, I wish you'd let +me alone!" burst<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> out the blushing Amy, whereas Grace teased her all the +more, until Betty put an end to it saying:</p> + +<p>"Well, let's get along. The men don't seem to be coming back, and mamma +may be worried, knowing that we went out when a storm was brewing. Old +Tin-Back is sure to tell her that we went off defying the elements."</p> + +<p>"Isn't he a queer old character?" remarked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I like him," Betty answered. "He says he has never yet given +up hope of finding some treasure washed ashore from a wreck. He's always +looking as he walks along the beach."</p> + +<p>"And that in spite of the fact that, with all his years of looking, he +has found only a pipe," laughed Mollie. "He is very persevering, is Old +Tin-Back."</p> + +<p>"Most fishermen are," spoke Betty.</p> + +<p>"I suppose things <i>are</i> occasionally washed up by the sea," Amy +observed. "Let's look as we walk along the beach."</p> + +<p>Hardly knowing why they did so, the eyes of the outdoor girls roamed the +beach, which, as the tide had just gone out, was strewn with odds and +ends. Nothing of moment, though, it seemed—bits of broken boxes and +barrels, bottles and tin cans, probably the refuse from coasting +vessels.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm tired!" suddenly exclaimed Grace. "Let's see if we can't find a +place to sit down."</p> + +<p>"Tired! No wonder, wearing such high-heeled shoes!" objected Betty. "You +are violating one of the ethics of the outdoor girls' organization!" she +went on. "You can't expect to walk in those."</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to try again," confessed Grace. "Oh, I simply must sit +down."</p> + +<p>"The sand is so wet," objected Mollie.</p> + +<p>They managed to find a broken spar, cast up by the waves, and by putting +on it some boards, which they turned over to find the dry side, they +evolved a comfortable seat.</p> + +<p>"Oh, isn't this just lovely!" exclaimed Betty, as she gazed out over the +bay, now glistening beneath the sun, which had come out from behind the +storm clouds.</p> + +<p>"It is perfect," agreed Amy.</p> + +<p>Mollie was idly digging in the sand behind the spar. She used a shell, +and had scooped out quite a hole. Suddenly the shell scraped on +something with a shrill sound.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't!" begged Grace. "You set my teeth on edge! What is it, +Mollie?"</p> + +<p>Mollie did not answer at once. She was digging in the sand more quickly +now. Again the shell scraped on some metal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Mollie!" objected Grace again, putting her hands over her ears. +"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I—I think I've found something," replied Mollie in a low voice. "Look, +girls, it's some sort of box."</p> + +<p>They leaned over her. Her shell had scraped away the wet sand from the +top of a square piece of metal. Mollie tapped it.</p> + +<p>"It—it sounds hollow!" she whispered.</p> + +<p>"Probably a tin can," said Betty.</p> + +<p>"No," spoke Mollie, resolutely.</p> + +<p>"Here, let me help you!" exclaimed Amy.</p> + +<p>She looked about for something with which to dig. Near where Mollie had +uncovered the piece of metal a queerly shaped stick stuck upright in the +sand. Amy pulled it out, with no small effort, and at once began +digging.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's some sort of a box—an iron box!" cried Mollie, with eager, +shining eyes. "We have really found something."</p> + +<p>Mollie and Amy dug until they had wholly uncovered the object. Then, +with a quick motion, Mollie put her hands under the lower edges, and +with a sudden effort brought up out of the hole in the sand a curious +iron box.</p> + +<p>"It—it really is—something!" she said.</p> + +<p>Instinctively Betty looked out over the bay in the direction taken by +the strange, quarreling men in the motor boat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>CONJECTURES</h3> + + +<p>Mollie Billette set the black iron box down on the log that had formed +the seat for the outdoor girls. A little wind was rapidly drying the +dampness. The wind even dried some of the sand on the box, and scattered +it in a little rattling shower on a bit of paper on the beach.</p> + +<p>The girls did not seem to know what to say. Betty looked back from her +glance across the bay, in the direction of the now unseen boat, in time +to notice Mollie, ever neat, wiping her damp hands on her pocket +handkerchief. Amy was looking at the queerly-carved stick which had +served her as a shovel to dig in the sand.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" exclaimed Grace. "Isn't it wonderful! It really is a box!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's certainly <i>that</i>, all right!" added the more practical +Mollie.</p> + +<p>"And if it should contain treasure!" went on Grace, rather at a loss +because her chocolates were all gone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Old Tin-Back should have found this," commented Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Or the boys," spoke Betty. "I wish they were here."</p> + +<p>"The idea!" exploded Mollie. "As if we didn't know what to do as well as +though the boys were here to tell us. That isn't our Little Captain; is +it, girls?" she asked the others.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I only meant about the legal end of it," said Betty, quickly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see! She just wants—Allen!" remarked Grace.</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't that at all!" Betty cried, quickly. "But you know there +are certain rules about things found at sea, or near the sea. For +instance, if this is above the high-water mark it might be, the property +of whoever owns the land back there."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's above high-water mark all right," declared Amy. "Though I +think in a heavy blow or at a high tide the water might come up here. +But we can't go by rules now; can we, Betty?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose not."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to take the box home with us," Mollie declared. "It may have +been washed ashore from some ship, and there may be nothing in it +but——"</p> + +<p>"Tobacco!" exclaimed Grace with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Tobacco?" questioned the others in a chorus.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It looks just like a tobacco box," the chocolate-loving girl went on. +"But perhaps it isn't."</p> + +<p>"Of course it isn't!" declared Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it contains treasure," said Amy. "Oh, if it should! Wouldn't +the old lobsterman be surprised?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he wouldn't be the only one to be surprised," spoke Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I think we would ourselves," added Betty, with a laugh. "Now, girls, +let's see what we really have found."</p> + +<p>With a bunch of seaweed Mollie brushed from the box the sand that clung +to it. Then the outdoor girls gathered around the case as it rested on +the log.</p> + +<p>"Look!" exclaimed Grace as the covering of sand was disposed of. "There +are some letters on the box."</p> + +<p>"So there are!" agreed Betty. They leaned forward to look.</p> + +<p>Staring at them from the black top of the box were three white letters. +They were rather scratched and faded, but the girls soon made them out +as follows:</p> + +<div class='center'> +<i>B. B. B.</i><br /> +</div> + +<p>"B-B-B," repeated Mollie, as she read them. "I wonder what they stand +for?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Base-ball-band," said Grace, quickly. "At least that's what Will would +say if he were here."</p> + +<p>"I wish some of the boys <i>were</i> here," remarked Betty, and again she +gave a quick glance out across the bay.</p> + +<p>"Why?" Amy wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Because those men might come back, and——"</p> + +<p>"Do you think those men hid the box here?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"That's exactly what I think," replied Betty, quickly. "Wouldn't that be +an explanation of their strange conduct when they saw us?"</p> + +<p>"How do you mean?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"I mean I think those men had just hidden this box here in the sand. As +they went away they saw us coming along. They were afraid we would find +the box, or at least some of them were, and wanted to come back to dig +it up again."</p> + +<p>"And do you think that was why they quarreled among themselves?" +demanded Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I think so—yes. Doesn't it seem natural?" Betty asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course you can make almost any theory fit when you don't know +the facts," Mollie went on. "But how about the box having been washed up +from the ocean, and buried in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> sand naturally? That could have +happened; couldn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," assented Betty. "The box wasn't buried so deep but what it +could have come about in a perfectly natural way. But when you stop to +think how the men acted, and the fact that it was just about here their +boat was, I think my idea is the best."</p> + +<p>"Well, it certainly was from here they pushed off their boat," declared +Grace, walking down toward the edge of the water. "See, there are the +marks of the keel in the sand."</p> + +<p>That was true enough, as all the girls could see. The black box had been +buried in the sand directly back from the point where the men had made +their departure.</p> + +<p>"There's another thing, too," added Betty. "That stick Amy has."</p> + +<p>The other girls looked at it, Amy herself regarding it with rather +curious eyes.</p> + +<p>"It was stuck in the sand near the box," Amy said. "I worked it loose, +pulled it up, and used it as a shovel."</p> + +<p>"Exactly what it might have been intended for," spoke Betty, who let a +little note of exultation creep into her voice. "At least, that was one +of the purposes for which it was intended."</p> + +<p>"And what was the other?" Mollie asked, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> she put back a stray lock of +her dark hair, for the wind had blown it about.</p> + +<p>"As a mark," said Betty.</p> + +<p>"A mark!" exclaimed Amy.</p> + +<p>"Yes," went on Betty. "The men who hid the box put the stake in the sand +so they could find their treasure again."</p> + +<p>"Oh, then you are sure it <i>is</i> treasure," Mollie returned.</p> + +<p>"Well, we might as well think that as anything else—until we get the +box open and find it full of—sand!" declared Betty, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let's open it now!" cried Grace, impulsively. "I'm just dying to +see what's in it. Please let's open it now."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we have no right," objected Amy.</p> + +<p>"Why, of <i>course</i> we have," insisted Grace, making "big eyes" at Amy. +"We found it. Can't we open it, Betty?"</p> + +<p>But there was a very good reason why the girls could not open the +box—at least then and there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE CIPHER</h3> + + +<p>"Locked!" exclaimed Betty, laconically, when she had tried the cover of +the box.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" came petulantly from Grace. "Isn't that horrid!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose the men have a right to lock up their treasure," coolly +remarked Betty, again vainly trying to raise the cover.</p> + +<p>"You will have it that those men hid the box," said Amy, with a smile. +"Also that it is treasure."</p> + +<p>"I'm getting romantic—like Grace," commented the Little Captain.</p> + +<p>Then, as they found that their efforts to open the box were vain, the +girls looked at it more closely.</p> + +<p>It was a black japanned box of tin, or, rather, light sheet iron, rather +heavier than the usual box made for holding legal papers. It was such a +receptacle as would be described, in England, as a "dispatch box." And +in fact, the box did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> seem to be of some foreign make. It was not like +the light tin affairs used locally to hold deeds, insurance policies and +the like.</p> + +<p>The cover fitted on tightly. This much was seen at a glance, and so well +did it fit that it needed a second look to make sure which was the +bottom and which the top, for there was no bulge or "shoulder" of the +metal to indicate where the lid rested.</p> + +<p>"It's water-tight, I'm sure," Mollie said, when the box had again been +set upright. They decided that the top was that place where the initials +"B. B. B." showed, half-obliterated, in white paint.</p> + +<p>"Then it might have been washed ashore from some wreck," Amy said.</p> + +<p>"Too heavy to float," was the answer of Mollie, as she again lifted it.</p> + +<p>"But it could work up in a heavy wind or sea; that is, if it didn't go +down too far from shore," Grace remarked. "But can't we get it open some +way?"</p> + +<p>"We might break it," Mollie observed. "Otherwise, I don't see how we +can. It is a complicated lock, if I am any judge," and she looked at the +front of the box. "Let me take that stake, Amy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! Don't break it open!" expostulated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> Betty. "We must try and see +if we can't slip the lock, after we get it home. Papa has a lot of odd +keys."</p> + +<p>"But I don't see any lock!" exclaimed Grace.</p> + +<p>"There it is," and Betty pushed to one side a round disk of metal that +fitted over the keyhole.</p> + +<p>Whether this was to keep out sand or water, the girls could not +determine. It might even have been designed to hide the keyhole, but +former use, or the battering which the box had received, had loosened +and disclosed the metal slide, and Betty's quick eyes had discerned the +object of it.</p> + +<p>"It would take a peculiar key to open that," decided Mollie. "Mamma has +a historic French jewel case home, and it has a lock something like +that."</p> + +<p>"Oh, suppose this contains—jewels!" cried Grace. "Wouldn't it be +just—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" broke in Betty. "If the box contains anything at all it is +probably papers of no value. My own opinion is that there's nothing in +it, for it's too light. However, we'll take it home, and see what the +boys say."</p> + +<p>"You seem to have a great deal of faith in their opinion," laughed +Mollie. "Ah, my dear!" and she put a finger on Betty's blushing cheek. +"Methinks it is the opinion of <i>one</i> certain boy you want."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Silly!" murmured Betty.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't mind us. A legal opinion would be most excellent to have," +mocked Grace. "Now who is eating the chocolates?" she wanted to know.</p> + +<p>Betty did not answer. She bent over the black box, with its indefinable +air of mystery, and the three queer letters on the top. She was, +seemingly, trying to find a way to open it.</p> + +<p>Finally she straightened up, looked once more across the bay and said:</p> + +<p>"Well, let's take it to Edgemere."</p> + +<p>"And let's hurry, too!" urged Amy.</p> + +<p>"Hurry? Why?" asked Grace. "There's no more danger from the storm."</p> + +<p>"No, but those men might come back, and, finding their treasure +gone—oh, well, let's hurry," she finished.</p> + +<p>"Don't make me nervous," begged Grace, with a glance over her shoulder. +"Come along, Betty. I'm just dying to see what is in it. But I'm not so +sure those men in the boat left it, and if they demand it don't you give +it up to them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should say not!" cried Mollie, bristling a bit. "<i>We</i> found the +box. They'll have to prove ownership."</p> + +<p>Betty tucked the box under her arm. No one disputed her right to carry +it, for the other girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> deferred to the Little Captain in matters of +this sort.</p> + +<p>"Won't the boys be surprised when they see it!" commented Amy.</p> + +<p>"But listen!" cautioned Betty. "We mustn't pretend that we think there +is anything in it. If we do, and there isn't, they'd have the laugh on +us."</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course," assented Grace. "We'll just say we found the box on the +beach, and couldn't open it. The boys will be anxious enough to do +that."</p> + +<p>And, sure enough, when the girls reached the cottage, the boys being not +far behind them, the latter were even more eager than Betty and her +chums to have a look inside the mysterious iron case.</p> + +<p>"Pry the cover off!" cried Will, when he and the others had briefly +related their experience in saving their motor boat and sailing back in +the other craft, while the girls gave their story bit by bit, from the +sighting of the men in the boat, to the finding of the box. Only Betty +said nothing about the faces at the window of the fisherman's hut.</p> + +<p>"Pry the cover off!" cried Will. "An axe is the best thing to use!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed not!" exclaimed Betty. "Let's see if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> we can't open it with a +key. You have some odd ones; haven't you, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Mr. Nelson, who was down at the shore for the week-end. +"Betty, get them. You'll find them in that desk in the living room."</p> + +<p>Betty's father had looked at the box on all sides, had shaken it, and +had examined the lock through a reading glass.</p> + +<p>"It sure is a find, all right!" declared Roy Anderson. "I wish I had +been with you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if it's a treasure-trove, we'll all share, as they did in Treasure +Island," declared Betty, who was almost a boy in her liking for +adventure stories.</p> + +<p>"Ahem!" exclaimed Allen Washburn, with an elaborate assumption of +dignity. "Treasure, you know, is subject to the claim of the +commonwealth, if the lawful heirs cannot be located. I must look up the +law on that subject."</p> + +<p>"More likely it's the spoil of pirates, and fair booty for whoever finds +it!" declared Will. "I think I'm the proper one to take charge of this, +representing as I do the United States Government, which takes +precedence over any State commonwealth."</p> + +<p>"Go on!" laughed Henry Blackford. "You'll be saying next that it's +smugglers' booty, and you'll be asking us to pay a duty on it. Let's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +open the box and see what it is—maybe nothing but seaweed. I've heard +of jokes being played before," and he looked at the girls meaningly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>we</i> didn't hide it and then find it again," Amy assured him, so +earnestly that the others laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well, here goes for a try, anyhow," said Mr. Nelson.</p> + +<p>With a bunch of assorted keys he tried one after another in the strange +lock. Some keys would not even enter the aperture, while others turned +uselessly around in it.</p> + +<p>Betty's father used all he had without success, and then the boys were +called on. They were not able to produce the Sesame to the japanned box, +and Will's plan of using an axe was finding more favor when Allen +produced a small key of peculiar make.</p> + +<p>"Try this," he said. "It locks the switch on the motor boat, but it may +fit. It looks as though it would."</p> + +<p>And, to the surprise of them all, it did. As though it had been made for +that lock, the little switch key slipped in. There was a click, a +grinding sound, as the cover slipped on the sand-encrusted hinges, and +the lid went back.</p> + +<p>"Stung!" cried Roy, as nothing was seen but a slip of paper within the +black interior.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Nelson lifted it out.</p> + +<p>"I can't make anything of this," he said. "It's some sort of a note, +written in cipher, I should judge. It is signed 'B. B. B.'"</p> + +<p>"The same letters that are on top of the box," said Allen.</p> + +<p>"Was there ever a pirate who had those initials?" asked Mollie, and the +others laughed. "Well, there might have been," she went on. "I don't +think it's so funny."</p> + +<p>"Of course it isn't, dear," declared Betty. "I guess we're all a bit +nervous. Is that all there is, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"Everything, my dear. The box is empty save for this bit of paper that +doesn't make any sense."</p> + +<p>"We must translate that at once, sir," said Allen. "If it is in cipher +that's all the more evidence that it means something. I might have a try +at that secret message, or whatever it is."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're welcome to have a go at it," assented Mr. Nelson. "It may +all be a joke, so don't take it too seriously."</p> + +<p>"I'll not," agreed Allen.</p> + +<p>He took the paper from Mr. Nelson's hand. The others looked over his +shoulder at it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, what do you suppose it means?" marveled Grace. "Do hurry and +translate it, Allen."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE FALSE BOTTOM</h3> + + +<p>For a moment the queer box itself was forgotten in the wonderment over +the cipher. That it would prove a solution to the mystery, if such there +was, and that it was not a joke, was believed by all. Even Allen, calm +as he usually was, displayed some excitement. The girls themselves could +not conceal their eagerness.</p> + +<p>"How are you going to make sense out of that?" asked Roy, who did not +like to spend much time over anything. "It's worse than Greek."</p> + +<p>"Most ciphers are," agreed Allen. "The only way to translate it is to go +at it with some sort of system. I'll need plenty of paper, and some +pencils."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what to do," said Mr. Nelson. "Make several copies of the +cipher, and we can all work on it at once. It will be a sort of game."</p> + +<p>And a fascinating game it proved. The possibility that the queer paper +in the iron box might<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> contain directions for finding some hidden +treasure made it all the more alluring.</p> + +<p>"There are any number of ciphers," Allen explained, when several copies +had been made of the original. "The simplest is to change the letters of +the alphabet about, using Z for A, and so on. Another simple one is to +make figures stand for letters, as No. 1 is A, and so on. But those are +so simple that only a schoolboy would use them."</p> + +<p>"What are same of the more difficult ciphers?" asked Betty.</p> + +<p>"Well, there are so many I don't know that I could explain them all. But +the most simple of the difficult ones is the taking of a number of +arbitrary signs or symbols to represent the letters of the alphabet. +That is what was done in Poe's 'Gold Bug,' you remember. Unless the +person has a copy of the list of signs and symbols it is very difficult +to decipher that cipher, or decode it, as they say in government +circles."</p> + +<p>"Ahem!" exclaimed Will, with an important air, as all eyes were turned +on him. "I ought to know something about that, but you see they haven't +trusted me with the code book yet. Now then, Allen, how are we to go +about this Chinese puzzle?"</p> + +<p>"If I had that story of Poe's here, it would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> be rather easier," Allen +said. "As it is, we shall have to do a little preliminary work. To start +off with we will take the letter E."</p> + +<p>"Why E?" asked Roy.</p> + +<p>"Because of all the letters in the ordinary use of English, that letter +most frequently occurs," Allen answered. "In other words, if you take a +written, or printed, page, and count up the letters, you will find that +E is used most frequently."</p> + +<p>"What is the next one?" asked Mollie. "Oh, isn't this fascinating, +girls!"</p> + +<p>"It will be more fascinating to discover the secret," Betty said.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what letter is next in importance, or, rather frequency," +Allen answered. "But we will each take a book and by counting the +letters on a page we can find out."</p> + +<p>"Some work!" groaned Roy. But they began it. Even Mr. and Mrs. Nelson +were interested enough in the novel game to attempt it.</p> + +<p>It took some little time, but at last Betty and Allen, who were working +together, announced that they found A to be the next most predominating +letter after E. And the others' search agreed with this. Then in order +came o, i, d, h, n, and so on.</p> + +<p>But they did not do that in one day, or even two, for they found it +rather tiring to the eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> So that it was not until three days after +the finding of the box that Allen was ready with the ground-work of his +cipher translation.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the motor boat had been repaired and was ready for +service. The weather had cleared, and in the intervals of working over +the mysterious paper in the box the boys, escorted by the girls, went to +the place where it had been found. The hole in the sand was just as they +had left it.</p> + +<p>"The men haven't come back to discover their loss," said Betty.</p> + +<p>"Or, if they have, they are leaving the ground undisturbed with a view +to getting a clue to the one who took the box," Allen said, with a look +at Betty.</p> + +<p>The next day a real attempt was made to decipher the code. As Allen had +said, it was made up of several letters, numbers and arbitrary signs, +some of them resembling Chinese characters in form.</p> + +<p>"The thing to do," said Allen, "is to pick out the letter, number or +sign that occurs most frequently. In other words, the predominating one. +And that will be E, for E is the predominating letter in any +communication. Now we'll begin."</p> + +<p>They all had great hopes, but, alas! they were doomed to disappointment. +For either Allen's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> system was wrong, or else the cipher did not follow +the plan of any of the well known ones. They succeeded in deciphering +it, after a fashion, but the result was a meaningless jumble of words +that told them nothing. The word "treasure" did not even occur; that is, +according to the translation made by Allen.</p> + +<p>"Well, I give up," he said, with a sigh of disappointment. "I sure +thought I could make something of it, but I can't."</p> + +<p>"Maybe Will could send it to some of his Secret Service friends," +suggested Grace.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I could do that," her brother assented. "Let's let the government +experts take a crack at it, Allen."</p> + +<p>"I'm willing," assented the young lawyer.</p> + +<p>Betty was in a corner of the big sitting room, the bay window of which +gave a beautiful view of the ocean. She had the queer box in her lap, +and was turning it from side to side, now and then holding it to her ear +and shaking it.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing, Betty Nelson?" asked Grace, coming in from a walk +to town.</p> + +<p>"I was just listening to see if there was any hidden mechanism in this +box," answered the Little Captain. "I wonder if there's a ruler anywhere +about?" she went on.</p> + +<p>She found a foot ruler, and with that began<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> measuring inside and +outside the box, jotting down some figures on a piece of paper.</p> + +<p>"What's this—a new way to work out the cipher I couldn't solve?" asked +Allen, coming in.</p> + +<p>"Don't talk to me for a minute, please," said Betty, puckering up her +forehead.</p> + +<p>She seemed to be adding and subtracting, and then she suddenly cried:</p> + +<p>"I thought so! I thought so! It is the only way to account for the +thickness of it."</p> + +<p>"The thickness of what?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p>"The bottom of that box!" went on Betty. "It has a false bottom. I'm +sure of it. Look here! It is seven inches deep on the outside, and only +five inches deep inside. Where are those two missing inches except in a +false bottom?"</p> + +<p>In her excitement Betty tapped on the inside of the bottom of the box +with the ruler, and then a strange thing happened.</p> + +<p>There was a clicking, springing sound, and the bottom of the iron box +seemed to rise up in two parts, like the twin doors of a sidewalk +elevator hatchway. The false bottom had been found, and as it swung up +out of the way there was disclosed an opening in which lay a package +wrapped in white tissue paper.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" cried Betty, staring at the box "I—I've found it—the +treasure!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THE DIAMOND TREASURE</h3> + + +<p>For a moment the others clustered around Betty like bees in a swarm, +saying not a word. The girls could only gasp their astonishment as they +looked over the Little Captain's shoulder, as she sat there, holding the +black box, the false bottom of which had so unexpectedly opened before +their eyes.</p> + +<p>The boys were a little more demonstrative.</p> + +<p>"How in the world did you do it, Bet?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"Did you know there was some trick about the box?" demanded Roy.</p> + +<p>"She's been holding this back," declared Henry, nudging his sister Amy.</p> + +<p>"And to think of all the time we wasted on that cipher!" observed Allen, +reproachfully.</p> + +<p>This seemed to galvanize Betty into speech.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know a thing about it!" she declared, earnestly. "I just +discovered it by accident. Of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> course when I found there was a +difference in depth between the inside and the outside of the box I +began to suspect something. But I didn't dream of—this!"</p> + +<p>She motioned to the white package in the secret compartment—a package +she had not, as yet, touched.</p> + +<p>"But how in the world did you come to discover it, Betty dear?" asked +Mollie, with wonder-distended eyes.</p> + +<p>"It seemed to open itself," the Little Captain replied. "I just dropped +the end of the ruler in the box, and it sprang open."</p> + +<p>"You must have touched the secret catch, or spring," was Allen's +opinion.</p> + +<p>"Let's have a look!" proposed Will. "I always did want to see how one of +those hidden mysteries worked. Pass it over, Betty!"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, don't you do it!" cried Mollie. "Let's see, first, what is in +that package, Betty. You said it was a treasure; didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, that's what I said," admitted Betty. "But it will probably be +some more meaningless cipher."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do open it!" begged Grace. "I'm all on pins and needles——"</p> + +<p>"Thinking it may be—chocolates!" teased her brother.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>She aimed a futile blow at him, which he did not even dodge.</p> + +<p>Betty reached in and lifted the white tissue-paper package from its +hiding place. It almost completely filled the space. There was a +rustling sound, showing that the paper had acquired no dampness by being +buried under the sand in the box.</p> + +<p>"Put it on the table," suggested Allen, removing the box from Betty's +lap. She turned to the table, near which she had been sitting, when her +experiment resulted so unexpectedly. On the soft cloth she laid the +paper packet.</p> + +<p>"Now don't breathe!" cautioned Mollie, "or the spell will be broken."</p> + +<p>No one answered her. They were all too intent on what would be disclosed +when those paper folds should be turned back.</p> + +<p>"It looks just like—just like—pshaw! I know I've seen packages just +like that before, somewhere," said Will. "But I can't, for the life of +me, think where it was."</p> + +<p>"Was it in a jeweler's window?" asked Amy, in a low voice, from where +she stood beside him.</p> + +<p>"That's it, little girl! You've struck it!" Will cried, and impulsively +he held out his hand, which Amy clasped, blushing the while.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's that talk about a jeweler's?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p>But no one answered him.</p> + +<p>For, at that moment Betty had folded back the white paper, and there to +the gaze of all, flashing in the sun which glinted in through an open +window, lay a mass of sparkling stones. Thousands of points of light +seemed to reflect from them. They seemed to be a multitude of dewdrops +shaken from the depths of some big rose, and dropped into the midst of a +rainbow.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Betty, shrinking back. "Oh!" She could say no more.</p> + +<p>"Look!" whispered Grace, and her voice was hoarse.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll be jiggered!" gasped Will.</p> + +<p>"Diamonds!" cried Allen. "Betty, you've discovered a fortune in +diamonds!"</p> + +<p>"Diamonds?" ejaculated Amy, and her voice was a questioning one.</p> + +<p>Then there came a silence while they all looked at the flashing heap of +stones—there really was a little heap of them.</p> + +<p>"Can they really be diamonds?" asked Betty, finding her voice at last.</p> + +<p>Allen reached over her shoulder and picked up one of the larger stones. +He held it to the light, touched it to the tip of his tongue, rubbed it +with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> his fingers and laid it back. He did the same thing with two +others.</p> + +<p>"Well?" asked Will, at length. "What's the verdict?"</p> + +<p>"I'm no expert, of course," Allen said, slowly, and he seemed to have +difficulty in breathing, "but I really think they are diamonds."</p> + +<p>"Diamonds? All those?" cried Mollie. "Why, they must be +worth—millions!"</p> + +<p>They all laughed at that. It seemed a relief from the strain, and to +break the spell that hung over them all.</p> + +<p>"Hardly millions," spoke Allen, "but if they are really diamonds they +will run well up into the thousands."</p> + +<p>"But are they really diamonds?" asked Betty.</p> + +<p>"As I said, I'm no expert," Allen repeated, "but a jeweler once told me +several ways of testing diamonds, and these answer to all those tests. +Of course it wouldn't be safe to take my word. We should have a jeweler +look at these right away."</p> + +<p>"I knew I had seen paper like that before," Will said. "It's just the +kind you see loose diamonds displayed in around holiday times in +jewelers' windows."</p> + +<p>"That doesn't make these diamonds, just because they are in the proper +kind of paper,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> scoffed Roy. "I think they're only moonstones."</p> + +<p>"Moonstones aren't that color at all," declared Henry. "They are sort of +a smoky shade."</p> + +<p>"I guess Roy means rhinestones," said Amy, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"That's it," he agreed. "They're only fakes. Who would leave a lot of +diamonds like that in a box in the sand?"</p> + +<p>"No one would leave them there purposely, to lose them," said Allen. +"But I think we've stumbled on a bigger mystery here than we dreamed of. +I am sure these are diamonds!"</p> + +<p>"I—I'm afraid to hope so," said Betty, with a little laugh.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's easy to tell," Allen said. "There's a jeweler in town. He +probably doesn't handle many diamonds, but he ought to be able to tell a +real one from a false. Let's take one of the smaller stones and ask him +what he thinks."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, let's find out—and as soon as we can!" cried Grace. "Isn't it +just—delicious!"</p> + +<p>"Delicious!" scoffed Will. "You'd think she was speaking +of—chocolates!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>SEEKING CLUES</h3> + + +<p>The first shock of the discovery over (and it was a shock to them all, +boys included), the young folks began to examine the stones more calmly. +They spoke of them as diamonds, and hoped they would prove to be stones +of value, and not mere imitations.</p> + +<p>There were several of fairly large size, and others much smaller; some, +according to Allen, of only a sixteenth-karat in weight.</p> + +<p>"But stones of even that small size may be very valuable if they are +pure and well cut," he said.</p> + +<p>"And what would be the value of the largest ones?" asked Betty, for +there were one or two stones that Will was sure were three or four +karats in size.</p> + +<p>"I'd be afraid to guess," Allen said. "We'd better have them valued."</p> + +<p>The girls handled the stones, holding them on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> their fingers and trying +to imagine how they would look set in rings.</p> + +<p>"Engagement rings?" asked Grace of Betty, who had suggested that.</p> + +<p>"Silly! I didn't say anything of the kind!"</p> + +<p>"Well, it isn't what you say, it's what you mean."</p> + +<p>It did not seem they could look at the stones enough. Every specimen was +examined again and again, held up to the light, and turned this way and +that in the sun so that the sparkle might be increased.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose we might as well put them away," said Betty, with a +sigh, after a while. "It's no use wishing——"</p> + +<p>"Wishing what?" demanded Mollie, quickly.</p> + +<p>"That they were ours."</p> + +<p>"Ours! I don't see why they aren't!" exclaimed Grace, quickly. "Of +course Mollie and Amy dug them up, but——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't hesitate on my account!" Mollie said, quickly. "If we share +at all we share alike, of course."</p> + +<p>"That's sweet of you, Billy," returned Betty. "But I don't see how we +can keep them. The diamonds, if such they are, must belong——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, whom do they belong to?" demanded Mollie. "If you mean the men we +saw in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> boat, I should say they didn't have any more right to them +than we have. They were pirates if ever I saw any."</p> + +<p>"Well, you never saw any pirates," remarked Betty, calmly. "But of +course the men in the boat may have hidden the diamonds there."</p> + +<p>"Do you think they knew they were in the box?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"Well, whoever hid the box must have known it contained something of +value," Betty declared. "They would hardly hide an empty box, and if +they had found it locked they would have opened it to make sure there +was nothing of value in it. Of course those men may only have been +acting for others."</p> + +<p>"But what are we to do?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"We must try to find out to whom these diamonds belong," Betty said. +"We'll have to watch the advertisements in the paper, and if we see none +we'll advertise for ourselves. That's the law, I believe," and she +looked at Allen.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the finder of property must make all reasonable efforts to locate +the owner," he said, "though of course he could claim compensation for +such effort. I think the papers are our best chance for finding clues."</p> + +<p>"Has there been a big diamond robbery lately?" asked Mollie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What has that to do with it?" Will wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Because I think these diamonds are the proceeds of some robbery," went +on the girl. "As you say, the stones are wrapped in a paper just as +though they had come from a jewelry store. It might be that those men +broke into a store, took the diamonds and hid them in this secret part +of the box, which one of them owned. They are probably from some big +robbery in New York, or Boston, seeing we're nearer Boston than we are +New York, up here."</p> + +<p>"I don't remember any such robbery lately," Roy said, and he was a +faithful reader of the newspapers. "But of course we've been pretty busy +lately. I'll get some back numbers of the papers."</p> + +<p>"Ha! What's going on now?" asked the voice of Mr. Nelson. He had come in +from the station, having run up to Boston on business.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Daddy!" cried Betty. "Such news! You'll never guess!"</p> + +<p>"You've solved the cipher!" he hazarded.</p> + +<p>"No. We didn't need to. We solved the mystery of the box, and look——"</p> + +<p>She spread the sparkling stones out before him.</p> + +<p>"Whew!" he whistled. "I should say that <i>was</i> news. Where did you get +those?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In a hidden compartment of the black box. I stumbled on the secret +spring by accident when I was measuring it. Are they diamonds, Father?"</p> + +<p>Anxiously the young people hung on Mr. Nelson's answer.</p> + +<p>He laid aside the packages he had brought from Boston, and turned for a +moment to greet his wife, who had come into the room. She had been told +of the find as soon as it was discovered, and had been properly +astonished.</p> + +<p>"It takes the young folks to do things nowadays," he said, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't it?" she responded.</p> + +<p>"But are they diamonds? That's what we want to know!" chanted Betty, her +arms around her father's shoulders.</p> + +<p>Mr. Nelson tested the stones much as Allen had done, but he went +farther. From his pocket he produced a small but powerful magnifying +glass. It was one he used, sometimes, in looking at samples of carpet at +his office. He put one of the larger stones under the glass.</p> + +<p>The young people hardly breathed while the test was going on. But the +result was not announced at once, for Mr. Nelson took several of the +sparkling stones, and subjected them to the scrutiny under the +microscope.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well," he announced finally, "I should say they are diamonds, and +pretty fine diamonds, too!"</p> + +<p>The girls gave little squeals of delight.</p> + +<p>"You were right, old man," spoke Henry to Allen, with a nod.</p> + +<p>"Well, I wasn't sure, of course" began the young law student "but——"</p> + +<p>"Of course I didn't look at all the stones," broke in Mr. Nelson, and +the talk was instantly hushed to listen to him, "but I picked several +out at random, and made sure of them. And it is fair to assume in a +packet of stones like this that, if one is a diamond, the others are +also."</p> + +<p>"And how much are they worth?" asked Betty. She was not mercenary, but +it did seem the most natural thing to ask.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's hard to tell," her father replied. "At a rough guess I +should say—oh, put it at fifty thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Mollie. "To think of it!"</p> + +<p>"Catch me! I'm going to faint!" mocked Roy, leaning up against Will.</p> + +<p>"Do you really think they are as valuable as that?" asked Amy, in a +gentle voice.</p> + +<p>"She helped find them, and she wants to reckon her share," said Mollie, +who did not always make the most appropriate remarks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nothing of the sort!" exclaimed Betty. "It's just the wonder of it +all."</p> + +<p>"I think fifty thousand dollars would be pretty close to the mark," said +Mr. Nelson. "I once had to serve on a committee to value the contents of +a jewelry store for an estate. I didn't know much about precious stones, +but the others gave me some points, and I remember them. Of course I may +be several thousands out of the way, but——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, fifty thousand dollars is a nice enough sum—to dream about," Betty +said, with a gurgling laugh. "It will do very well, Daddy dear."</p> + +<p>"But isn't it the most wonderful thing, that we should find all those +diamonds!" gasped Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Who could have hidden them?" wondered Amy.</p> + +<p>"That's what we've got to find out," put in Allen. "I suggested the +newspapers," he went on to Mr. Nelson.</p> + +<p>"And a good idea," that gentleman said.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Betty. Let's look at the box, and see how the wonderful false +bottom fitted in," proposed Mollie. "I think it was the most perfectly +gorgeous thing how you happened to discover it."</p> + +<p>"And that's just how it was—a happening,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> the Little Captain remarked. +"Oh, but if those men in the boat should discover that we have those +diamonds, and come for them," and Betty glanced nervously over her +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Let them deal with <i>me!</i>" exclaimed Will, as he displayed his +Secret Service badge. "I'll attend to the—pirates!"</p> + +<p>"I thought your specialty was—smugglers," voiced Allen, with a chuckle.</p> + +<p>"Smugglers or pirates, it is all one to me!" Will declaimed, strutting +about.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but——" began Betty.</p> + +<p>"Well, what?" Will asked. "Think I'm afraid?"</p> + +<p>"No—oh, no. I was thinking of something else."</p> + +<p>And to Betty came a vision of those glowering faces in the window of the +fisherman's hut on the beach.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>A NIGHT ALARM</h3> + + +<p>The diamonds were wrapped again in their protective covering of tissue +paper. The girls could hardly take their eyes off them as Mr. Nelson put +them in his pocketbook.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it doesn't seem—real," sighed Betty, with a long breath.</p> + +<p>"No, it <i>is</i> like some fairy story," agreed Mollie. "And to think the +box has been in the house two or three days, and we never knew what a +treasure it contained."</p> + +<p>"Because of that secret compartment," suggested Amy. "Wasn't it just +wonderful?"</p> + +<p>That same false bottom of the tin box was interesting the boys more, +just then, than were the diamonds themselves. Will, Allen, Roy and Henry +gathered around the queer jewel casket.</p> + +<p>"There, it's shut!" exclaimed Will, as a click proclaimed that he had +pushed the two folding leaves of sheet iron back into place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You'd never know but that that was the real bottom," said Roy.</p> + +<p>"Let's see if we can open it again," proposed Allen.</p> + +<p>The boys tried, pushing here and there. But the bottom did not fly up as +it had done for Betty.</p> + +<p>"Say, what magical charm, or 'Open Sesame,' did you use on this?" asked +Allen, after vainly trying. "We can't make it work, Bet."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," she answered. "I just simply jabbed it with the ruler, +that's all."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, please 'jab' again," pleaded Will.</p> + +<p>Obligingly Betty took the piece of wood, and began poking about in the +bottom of the tin box. For some time she was as unsuccessful as the boys +had been.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe I can do it again," she said, puckering her forehead in +an attempt to remember. "Let's see, I sat <i>this</i> way, and I held it +<i>that</i> way."</p> + +<p>"Did you have your fingers crossed?" asked Roy, laughing.</p> + +<p>"What had that to do with it?" demanded Betty. But before Roy could +answer she uttered a cry, for, as she was moving the ruler about on the +bottom of the box, there was that sudden click and spring again, and the +false bottom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> sprang out of the way, disclosing the place where the +diamonds had been.</p> + +<p>"How did you do it Betty?" asked Allen, and then it was seen that the +ruler had pressed on a tiny plate in the corner of the box, a plate so +well hidden that only the most careful scrutiny revealed it.</p> + +<p>Once it was seen, however, the trick was easy to work. The cover was +snapped into place again, and as soon as the ruler, or for that matter, +the tip of one's finger, pressed on the little plate, the hiding place +was disclosed.</p> + +<p>The boys and girls "played" the trick over and over again, until it was +an easy matter to do it.</p> + +<p>"This is more fun than the cipher," said Allen, taking a copy of it from +his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Going to have another go at it?" asked Will.</p> + +<p>"Yes. It might be a clue to the owner of the diamonds."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed the other. "I would like to know to whom they +belong."</p> + +<p>"I suppose diamonds are smuggled once in a while; aren't they?" asked +Allen.</p> + +<p>"Indeed they are," Will answered. "That's what Uncle Sam has to guard +against more than anything else. They are so easy to hide, and it +doesn't take many of them to represent a whole<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> lot of money. But then +the government has the system down pretty fine, and it isn't often that +anything gets away. You see as soon as any purchase of stones on the +other side is made, word is sent to the officials here—that is, any +purchase of any large amount, such as this."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't think those diamonds were smuggled?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p>"Not for a minute!" declared Will. "They're the proceeds of some +robbery, all right. I'm sure of that. Smugglers don't work the game that +way—bury the stuff in the sand. It's a robbery!"</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you're right," assented Allen, as he bent over the +cipher.</p> + +<p>"I'll have another go at that with you," said Will, as he looked over +his copy.</p> + +<p>But the further efforts of the boys, and the girls, too, to decipher the +code, were unavailing. The queer paper held fast to its mystery, if +indeed mystery it concealed. It did not give it up as had the box with +the secret bottom.</p> + +<p>The day when the diamonds were discovered was an exciting one, and the +excitement had not calmed down when evening came. Mr. Nelson had taken +charge of the precious stones, and it had been decided not to say +anything about them, even to the servants in the house.</p> + +<p>"And I don't believe I'd take one to the vil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>lage jeweler," was the +opinion of Betty's father. "As a matter of fact, I don't believe he +would be any better judge of the stones than I am, and he certainly +would talk about them."</p> + +<p>"That's right," Mollie agreed. "The folks here want to know what you had +for breakfast and what you're going to eat for luncheon and dinner. I +suppose they can't help it."</p> + +<p>"No, the natives haven't much to do," affirmed Betty, "except to talk +about the summer cottagers. But we'll keep quiet about the diamonds, at +least down here."</p> + +<p>"If the natives only knew what we know!" exclaimed Grace. "Think of +having dug up buried treasure from the sand!"</p> + +<p>"Poor Old Tin-Back would be heartbroken if he ever heard of it," said +Amy, gently. "All his life he has dreamed of finding treasure, or +ambergris or something, and here we come along and take it right from +under his eyes."</p> + +<p>"Poor old man," sighed Betty. "He is a dear, and so honest. He brought +some crabs to-day, hard ones, for the shedders aren't around yet. And he +was so careful to have every one alive. He held them up for me to see +them wiggle."</p> + +<p>"I can't bear them!" exclaimed Grace, making a wry face.</p> + +<p>"You mean uncooked," observed Mollie. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> notice you take your share +when the salad is passed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, that's different," Grace returned.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with the diamonds?" asked Betty of her father, +when they were gathered around the sitting room table, after supper.</p> + +<p>"I haven't fully decided," he said. "I want to make some inquiries in +Boston, first, as to whether or not there has been a robbery."</p> + +<p>"That's what I'll do, too," said Will.</p> + +<p>"When are you going to Boston?" asked his sister. "First I heard about +that."</p> + +<p>"I'm going up in the morning," her brother answered. "I received word to +report at the office. There's something that needs my attention. Ahem! +Uncle Sam can't get along without me, it seems."</p> + +<p>"Nothing like patting yourself on the back," Grace said.</p> + +<p>"Just for that you sha'n't have any of—these!" and Will drew from his +pocket a box that unmistakably held candy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will. I didn't mean it!" Grace cried. "Of course you're of value to +the government. What are they—those new bitter-sweets?"</p> + +<p>"That's for you to ask, and Amy to know," said Will, as he passed Amy +the confections.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you!" she said, blushing furiously.</p> + +<p>"Amy Blackford. What I know about you!" mocked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm going to share them, of course."</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course!" chanted Grace. "How nice."</p> + +<p>"Well, it will keep her still for a while, at least," sighed Will.</p> + +<p>"Whom do you mean?" demanded Mollie, catching him by the ear.</p> + +<p>"Ouch! Let go! I meant my sister—of course. A fellow wouldn't dare talk +that way about anyone but his sister," confessed Will.</p> + +<p>Merrily they discussed the finding of the diamonds, and what disposition +might be made of them. The strange actions of the men in the boat, too, +came in for a share of attention. The girls were quite sure the men had +hidden the box in the sand, though whether or not they knew of the +valuable contents was a question.</p> + +<p>"Well, they'll look in vain for it now," declared Betty. "We have it," +and she glanced at the now empty receptacle.</p> + +<p>"Better put it away," suggested her father. "If the servants see it they +may ask awkward questions."</p> + +<p>"I'll keep it in my room," said Betty.</p> + +<p>"And I'll have another go at this cipher to-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>morrow," Allen said. "I +have a new idea for solving it."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were going to take us girls out in the boat to-morrow," +objected Mollie.</p> + +<p>"So I am. But I can be working on this between times."</p> + +<p>"Sorry I can't be with you," Will said.</p> + +<p>"Then you are really going to run up to Boston?" asked Mr. Nelson.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, I have to go, if I want to keep this new position."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'd advise you to do so, then. Go up with me on the express in +the morning."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, I will."</p> + +<p>"And if you hear anything about the diamonds, don't wait to come back +and tell us, write—no, telegraph!" urged Betty.</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be wise to wire," her father objected. "There is no great +rush. I will make some inquiries myself."</p> + +<p>"And where will you leave the diamonds, meanwhile?"</p> + +<p>"Down here, of course. I'm not going to carry them around with me—too +valuable," and Mr. Nelson patted his pocket.</p> + +<p>"I'll take the box to my room, and lock it in my trunk," Betty said.</p> + +<p>The evening wore on. It was one of beautiful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> moonlight, and the party +of young people went out on the beach to have a marshmallow roast over a +drift-wood fire.</p> + +<p>"The sea sparkles—just like diamonds," said Mollie, as they turned to +go back to the cottage, when the little frolic had ended.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" cautioned Betty. "Some one might hear you," and she looked out +over the bay as though she might catch a glimpse of the rough men in the +boat.</p> + +<p>"You have diamonds on the brain," chided Grace.</p> + +<p>The cottage became quiet. Only dim night lights burned. Betty had taken +to her room the queer box, which had given up part of its secret. Her +father had the diamonds with him.</p> + +<p>It was Grace who gave the alarm. Awakening at she knew not what hour, +and feeling the need of a drink of water, she donned a dressing gown and +found her slippers. As she went through the hall to the bathroom, she +saw a dark figure, unmistakably that of a man, gliding down the +corridor. Under his arm was the black box, and in one hand was held a +tissue paper packet.</p> + +<p>"The diamonds!" screamed Grace, her voice shrilling out in the night. +"Burglars are after the diamonds!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>ON THE BEACH</h3> + + +<p>The whole house was roused in an instant. Lights gleamed in various +rooms, and from the quarter where the maids slept came shrill screams +that matched those of Grace herself. Hoarse shouts came from the rooms +of the boys.</p> + +<p>But the affair had a most unexpected ending. For the man at whose back +Grace was gazing horror-stricken, turned at her sudden shout, and his +face betrayed almost as much astonishment, not to say fear, as the +countenance of the girl showed.</p> + +<p>And then Grace noticed that the man was attired in a bath robe, the +pattern of which was strangely familiar to her. She noticed this even +before she looked at his face recognizingly, and beheld her host, Mr. +Nelson.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Oh!" gasped Grace, weakly, and she had to lean against the wall for +support, for she was trembling.</p> + +<p>"What—what's the matter?" asked Betty's father. "Are you ill, Grace?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, but I—I thought you—oh, I thought——"</p> + +<p>Out into the hall poured the others of Edgemere Cottage, attired in a +nondescript collection of garments hastily donned. Will, in his bath +robe, had his collar and tie in his hand, though it is doubtful if he +wore an article of dress to which it could be attached. From the +servants' rooms came frantic demands to know if the house were on fire.</p> + +<p>"No, it's all right!" called Mr. Nelson. "Go back to bed, all of you!"</p> + +<p>"But what's it all about?" asked Betty. "What is the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess it's my fault," Grace said. "I got up to get a drink, and I +saw your father going down the hall, with the box and the package of +diamonds, and I thought—I thought he was a——"</p> + +<p>"Burglar! Is that what you thought me?" demanded Mr. Nelson, as a smile +crept over his face.</p> + +<p>"Ye—yes," faltered Grace. "I know it was silly of me—dreadfully silly, +but I—I——"</p> + +<p>"It's all right, my dear. I don't blame you a bit!" comforted Betty, her +arms around the shrinking figure of Grace. "Go on back, you boys!" she +commanded the others. "Our—our hair isn't fit to be seen!" and the boys +retired,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> snickering. No girl likes to be looked at in a dressing gown, +when suddenly aroused from sleep. And one's hair doesn't appear half so +becoming in that state as it does even under a bathing cap.</p> + +<p>"But what does it all mean?" asked Mrs. Nelson, who had waited to put on +something smarter than a dressing sack before venturing out into the +hall.</p> + +<p>"Grace thought papa was a burglar," explained Betty.</p> + +<p>"Well—that is, I didn't exactly——" protestingly began Grace.</p> + +<p>"Did you have a nightmare?" asked Mrs. Nelson. "I'm afraid the diamond +excitement was too much for you. A little bromide, perhaps, or some——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, she doesn't need that," Betty said as the boys "made themselves +small" around a corner, that they might hear the explanation, if unseen. +"She really did think papa was taking the diamonds."</p> + +<p>"Why, he is!" cried Mrs. Nelson, as she caught sight of the objects her +husband carried—the mysterious box and the packet of precious stones. +"What are you doing with them?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I was putting them in a safer place," he ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>plained. "Perhaps it was +foolish of me, but, after I had brought them to my room, I got to +thinking it was rather careless to leave them about so. It wasn't so +much the fear of thieves as it was of fire. You know diamonds can't +stand much fire."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if they should be melted before we know who owns them!" gasped Mrs. +Nelson.</p> + +<p>"So when I found I couldn't sleep, for thinking of them," went on +Betty's father, "I made up my mind to hide them in a different place. +Perhaps it was foolish of me, but I couldn't help it. I'm as bad as some +of the girls, I guess," and he glanced at Betty and her chums, who now, +with flushed cheeks and looking pretty enough for any number of boys to +gaze upon, even if their hair was a bit awry, stood grouped in the hall.</p> + +<p>"So I got up," resumed Mr. Nelson, "took the diamonds from the bureau +drawer where I had placed them, and started to take them down cellar. +I——"</p> + +<p>"Down cellar!" cried Betty. "What a place to hide diamonds—in the +cellar!"</p> + +<p>"It's the safest all-around place," her father said. "I don't believe +any burglars would be able to find them where I was going to put them, +and in case of fire the diamonds would be in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> little danger. Of course +they might be buried under a lot of rubbish, but they wouldn't go up in +puffs of smoke.</p> + +<p>"So I got up as quietly as I could, and took the diamonds, intending to +go down cellar with them, hoping I would disturb no one."</p> + +<p>"But where did you get the box?" asked Betty. "That was in my room, +Daddy."</p> + +<p>"I know. I went in and took it out."</p> + +<p>"And I never awakened?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"A fine guard for the diamonds," mocked Will from around the corner of +the hall.</p> + +<p>"Go to bed—you boys!" commanded Betty.</p> + +<p>"I thought I would take the box, too," Mr. Nelson resumed. "It forms one +of the clues, and I didn't want anything to happen to that. So I decided +to take that, put the diamonds in the secret bottom, and hide all down +cellar. Only Grace rather upset my plans."</p> + +<p>"I—I'm so sorry," said the thirsty one, contritely.</p> + +<p>"Don't you be!" returned Betty. "You're as good as a watch dog. To think +of <i>me</i> never waking when papa came in my room."</p> + +<p>"I was glad you didn't," he said. "I hoped to have it all go off +quietly, and tell you in the morning. But as long as you know it now I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +might as well proceed. I'll go on down cellar and hide them."</p> + +<p>"And don't forget to tell us where you put them," Betty urged. "If you +go away in the morning, we'll want to know where to run to get them in +case the house does catch fire."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't suggest such a thing!" begged her mother.</p> + +<p>Mr. Nelson laughed and went on down cellar, coming back soon to tell the +waiting ones that he had found a little niche in the wall, near the +chimney, and had put the diamonds in the box there. Then the house +quieted down again.</p> + +<p>Will and Mr. Nelson left on an early train for Boston, both promising to +do all they could to learn the secret of the mysterious package of +diamonds.</p> + +<p>"And now what shall we girls do?" asked Betty, after breakfast.</p> + +<p>"What do the boys want to do?" queried Mollie. "Perhaps you may have +some plans for us."</p> + +<p>"Sorry, ladies," Allen said, "but our boat is on a strike again, and +we'll have to have it fixed. It isn't much, though, and we can go out +this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go down on the beach for a while," proposed Betty. "It's +lovely this morn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>ing. We'll go in bathing just before luncheon, and +then, after a little sleep, we'll be ready to have the boys amuse us."</p> + +<p>"Sounds nice, to hear them tell us," commented Roy with a laugh.</p> + +<p>And this plan was followed. When the boys went off in the motor boat, +the ignition system of which was not working to their satisfaction, the +girls strolled down to the shore, walking along it.</p> + +<p>"Let's go as far as the place we found the diamonds," proposed Amy.</p> + +<p>"Think you might find some more?" asked Betty, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"No such luck. But I thought perhaps we might see——"</p> + +<p>"Those men again? No, thank you!" cried Grace.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mollie. "The beach is free, and it is broad +daylight. Come along."</p> + +<p>So they strolled along the sand, stopping now and then to pick up a +pretty shell or pebble. Out in the bay was the fleet of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'claming'">clamming</ins> boats, +little schooners from which the grappling rakes were thrown overboard, +and allowed to drag along the bottom with the motion of the craft, to be +hauled up now and then, and emptied of their shelly catch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the other side of the point of land the ocean beat restlessly on the +beach.</p> + +<p>"Here's the place," exclaimed Betty, at length, as they came to the log +where they had sat when Mollie and Amy dug up the box of diamonds.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look as though they had come back and searched in vain for +the treasure," said Betty.</p> + +<p>There was no evidence in the sand, that was certain. The girls looked +about a bit, and then strolled on. Before they knew it they found +themselves in front of the lone hut where, from the odor that hung in +the air, and the evidence of nets and boats about, it was evident a +fisherman dwelt.</p> + +<p>As the girls came opposite this, the door opened and a woman, with a +hard, cruel face, peered out.</p> + +<p>"Ah, little missies!" she croaked, "it's a fine morning for a walk, but +you must be tired. Won't you come in and rest?" And she leered up into +their faces.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>ANOTHER ALARM</h3> + + +<p>At the first sight of the old crone Betty had drawn back, and now, as +the fishwife spoke, in a voice which she tried to render melodious, +though it ended only in a croak, the Little Captain seemed to urge her +chums away.</p> + +<p>"What does she mean?" whispered Grace.</p> + +<p>"Come in and rest—it is wearyin' work, walkin' in the sand," the woman +persisted. "I know, for many a day I have walked it lookin' for my man +to come back from the fishin' channel. But he's away now, and it's +lonesome for an old woman. Do come ye in!"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you, we like to be out of doors," answered Betty, +forestalling something Amy was going to say.</p> + +<p>"I could give you a drink of milk," the old fishwife went on. "Nice cold +milk. And cookies I baked myself—molasses cookies."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you just the same," spoke Betty,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> in a voice she tried to +render appreciative, though she showed a distinct distaste for the +nearness of the old woman. "We have just had breakfast," she added.</p> + +<p>"But won't you come in and rest?" the crone persisted. "The walk in the +sand——"</p> + +<p>"No, we aren't tired," said Mollie, seconding Betty's efforts. "And we +must be going back. Come on, girls. I'll race you to the old boat!" she +cried, with a sudden air of gaiety, and she set off at a rapid pace.</p> + +<p>For a moment the others hung back, and then Betty cried:</p> + +<p>"Come on, girls! It sha'n't be said that Billy beat me!"</p> + +<p>The old woman stared after the girls, uncomprehendingly for a moment, +and then, with a scowl on her face, turned back to the hut again.</p> + +<p>"Run on! Run on!" she muttered. "But I'll get ye yet! I'll get ye!"</p> + +<p>She turned, and seeing the backs of the girls toward her, shook a +gnarled and wrinkled fist at them.</p> + +<p>"I'll get ye yet!" she repeated.</p> + +<p>As she entered the hut a man's face was thrust down through an opening +in the ceiling—a hole that had been covered by a hatch-board.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't they come?" he asked.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Naw! They turned from me as if I was dirt."</p> + +<p>"The snips! Well, maybe we'll get another chance."</p> + +<p>"Another chance?" repeated the crone.</p> + +<p>"Yes! We've got to, I tell you. If not, Jake will——"</p> + +<p>"Hush! No names!" cautioned the woman.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the outdoor girls, having raced to the goal, an old boat +half-buried in the sand, came to a panting halt. Mollie had won, chiefly +because she had started off before the others, for Betty was accounted +the best runner of her chums.</p> + +<p>"Well, what does it all mean?" asked Grace, who came limping in last, +for, in spite of her expressed promise to the contrary, she still wore +those high-heeled shoes. "You act as though you had run away from the +plague, Betty!"</p> + +<p>"And so we did, my dear. The plague of fish! Ugh! I can almost taste +them—fishy, oily fish!"</p> + +<p>"And she offered us—milk!" added Mollie.</p> + +<p>"It would probably have been—cod-liver oil," spoke Betty, with a +shudder of repugnance. "Oh, let me get a breath of real air!" and she +turned her face to the misty wind of the sea.</p> + +<p>"But what does it all mean?" asked Amy, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> rather bewildered tones. +"Why did we run away?"</p> + +<p>"That's what I want to know," put in Grace. "And I believe—yes, I have +dropped my chocolates. Oh, how provoking! I'm going back after them."</p> + +<p>"You're going to do nothing of the sort!" declared Betty, with a +firmness she seldom manifested.</p> + +<p>"But—why?" questioned Grace. "Why can't I go back after my candy?"</p> + +<p>"Baby!" mocked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Because it's probably near that abominable hut!" said Betty. "And that +old crone might capture you. Did you see how eager she was to get us in +there?"</p> + +<p>"She did seem rather insistent," agreed Amy. "But was it any more than +mere kindness?"</p> + +<p>"If you ask me—it was," said Betty, firmly.</p> + +<p>"But why?" persisted Grace.</p> + +<p>"Eternal question mark!" Betty commented. "Now, girls," she went on, "I +don't know all the whys and wherefores, but I'm sure of one thing, and +that is nice people don't live in that hut. I don't mean just poor, or +unfortunate, or ignorant people, either," she went on. "I mean they +aren't nice—or—or safe! There, perhaps you'll like that better."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Not safe?" repeated Grace. "What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean I saw faces looking from the window of that hut, the day we +found the diamonds, that I wouldn't want to meet in the dark, or +alone—those who go with the faces, perhaps, I should say."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, glancing involuntarily over her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no one is following us," Betty said; "but I wanted to get well +away."</p> + +<p>"Why do you think she wanted us to go in?" inquired Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Do you think it had anything to do with the diamonds?" was Amy's +question.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to think," confessed Betty. "But I wouldn't have gone +into that hut for a good bit. Though perhaps the worst we would have +been asked would have been to purchase some worthless trifles."</p> + +<p>"Or perhaps buy smuggled lace," suggested Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I never thought of that!" exclaimed Betty. "Of course it might be +that."</p> + +<p>"If Will were only here!" said Amy.</p> + +<p>"We'll tell him when he comes back," Betty said. "Perhaps it may not +amount to anything, but if he can give the government some infor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>mation +it may serve him a good turn, since he is just beginning work in the +Secret Service."</p> + +<p>"But do you really think that old woman, and those you may have seen +through the window of the hut the day we made our find, have anything to +do with the diamonds?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Frankly, I haven't the least idea," admitted Betty. "And what is the +use of guessing and wondering? Only I am sure of one thing. I'll never +go into that hut!"</p> + +<p>Betty little realized how her boast was to be recalled to her under +strange circumstances.</p> + +<p>The outdoor girls sat down to rest on the old boat, and talked of many +things. The impression caused by the old woman's invitation soon wore +off. Then they started back, for they wanted to get their morning bath +before luncheon.</p> + +<p>"Oh, some one is here!" exclaimed Betty, as they saw an auto standing on +the graveled drive of the cottage. "I wonder who it can be?"</p> + +<p>"You father or Will wouldn't be back so soon; would they?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"No, it must be——"</p> + +<p>A voice interrupted Betty.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I dare say I shall find them! I will keep along the beach. Charming +weather, isn't it? Ah, yes, really!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Percy Falconer!" said Grace. "Catch me, somebody!"</p> + +<p>"Hush! He'll hear you!" cautioned Betty, and a moment later the "johnny" +of Deepdale, attired in the latest fashion in motoring togs, came out on +the porch, followed quickly by Mrs. Nelson.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here are the girls now!" said Betty's mother.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Betty. "We are back," but there was no enthusiasm in her +voice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I say, I am charmed to see you—all," added Percy, after a +glance at the Little Captain. "I motored down, don't you know. Father +let me, after some arguing. I should have liked to come in the boat, +with the rest of the fellows, but I can't stand the sea, really I can't. +But I'm glad I'm here."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we—we are glad to see you," Betty said. "We are going in bathing; +won't you come along?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, thank you, now. I'm afraid it's a little too cool for going into +the water to-day; don't you?"</p> + +<p>"No, we like it!" said Mollie. "How did you leave Deepdale?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, everything is the same, though it's very lonesome, with you girls +away."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, who let him in?" murmured Grace, with a despairing glance at Betty.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" the latter cautioned her. "At least he has his car, and we can +have a ride now and then," for Mollie's machine was in use by her mother +that summer, and the girls had no chance at its pleasures.</p> + +<p>"Mercenary!" whispered Mollie to the Little Captain.</p> + +<p>Percy was made as welcome as the circumstances permitted, and he sat on +the sand under a huge umbrella while the girls frolicked in the water. +The boys came back for luncheon, and helped to divide the boredom of the +newest arrival, though they made uncomplimentary remarks behind his +back, and Betty was in constant fear lest some unpleasant incident +should occur. She had to remember that she was the hostess.</p> + +<p>Nothing was said of the incident at the fisherman's hut, and that +afternoon the young people went for a motor boat trip. That is, all but +Percy Falconer. He could not be induced to embark, even on the calm +waters of the bay, and so he spent a lonesome afternoon at the cottage, +talking to Mrs. Nelson.</p> + +<p>Toward evening Betty found a chance to speak to Old Tin-Back, who came +with a mess of crabs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>She asked him who lived in the little, lone hut.</p> + +<p>"Well, no one as you would care to know, Miss Betty. He's a man that +hasn't a good name."</p> + +<p>"A man? But I thought a woman——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Mag, his wife, is there, too. She's worse than Pete in some +respects."</p> + +<p>"Are they smugglers?" Betty wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Well, they might be, if there was anythin' to smuggle. But I call 'em +just plain—thieves. Pete could tell lots about other folks' lobster and +crab cars being opened if he wanted to, I guess."</p> + +<p>A telegram came from Mr. Nelson that evening, saying he would remain in +Boston two or three days. He added that there was "no news," which the +girls took to mean he had heard nothing about the diamonds. Will sent no +word.</p> + +<p>It was about nine o'clock, when, after a stroll down the moonlit beach, +the boys and girls were returning to the cottage. As they came up the +walk a scream rang out.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" cried Allen, who was beside Betty.</p> + +<p>"It sounded like Jane, the cook," was the answer. "But——"</p> + +<p>More screams interrupted Betty, and then the voice of a woman was heard +calling:</p> + +<p>"Come quick! There's men in the cellar!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>ANXIOUS DAYS</h3> + + +<p>"Come on, boys!" cried Allen, evidently the first to sense the meaning +of the alarm.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but shouldn't we have some sort of weapons, you know?" spoke Percy.</p> + +<p>"Get out of my way!" cried Roy Anderson, brushing past the dude. "My +fists are the only weapons I want."</p> + +<p>Betty and the other girls hung back in a frightened group. The maid's +voice continued to ring out, and now Mrs. Nelson could be heard +demanding to know what was the matter.</p> + +<p>"Around to the side, fellows!" commanded Allen. "There's an outer door +they'll probably try for."</p> + +<p>"But who'll guard the front here?" asked Amy's brother.</p> + +<p>"Let Percy do that!" Allen flung back over his shoulder. "He probably +won't come with us, anyhow," he added.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>The three young men hastened around to the side of the cottage, while +Percy, hardly knowing what to do, remained with the girls in front. At +the side was an old-fashioned, slanting cellar door, the kind celebrated +in song as the one down which children slide, to the no small damage of +their clothes.</p> + +<p>As Allen and his chums reached a point where they could view this door, +they saw it suddenly flung up with a bang, and three men spring up the +stone steps.</p> + +<p>"There they are!" yelled Roy.</p> + +<p>"After 'em!" shouted Henry Blackford.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't a false alarm, anyhow," added Allen. "Hold on there!" he +cried. "Stop! Who are you? What do you want? Stop!"</p> + +<p>But neither the commands nor the questions halted the men. They ran on, +with never a word of answer or defiance flung back—dogged shadows +fleeing through the moonlight to the shrubbery-encompassed grounds of +Edgemere.</p> + +<p>"Stop, or I'll shoot!" cried Roy.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" screamed Grace, covering her ears.</p> + +<p>"Good bluff, all right," complimented Allen. "But it won't work."</p> + +<p>Nor did it. Roy's bright idea went for naught, for the men still crashed +on. They were lost sight of now behind a screen of bushes, but the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> boys +were not going to give up the pursuit so easily.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" called Allen. "We'll have them in another minute! They can't +get over the stone wall."</p> + +<p>"Stone wall?" echoed Henry.</p> + +<p>"Sush! It was another bluff, just as my threat was to shoot," cautioned +Roy. "It may turn them back."</p> + +<p>But it did not. Evidently the men knew the grounds about Edgemere as +well as did the boys, for there was no sign of a halt in their headlong +pace. On they crashed through bushes and underbrush, dodging among the +trees of the garden, and minding not the flower beds they trampled under +foot.</p> + +<p>"They're getting away from us," remarked Henry, who was panting along +beside Allen.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they evidently had a line of retreat all marked out."</p> + +<p>"Who are they?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't the least idea. Tramps, maybe—maybe something worse."</p> + +<p>"You mean——"</p> + +<p>"I don't know just what I do mean," replied Allen. "Come on, let's do a +little sprint, and we may get them. If we don't they'll soon be down on +the beach, and it will be all up with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> the chase if they have a boat, as +they probably have."</p> + +<p>"If it was on the ocean side we'd have some chance; the surf is heavy +to-night."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but they're running toward the bay."</p> + +<p>As I have explained, Edgemere was built on a point of land. One side of +the house fronted the ocean, and the other the bay. At this point the +land was not above a thousand feet wide, and the cottage property +extended from shore line to shore line.</p> + +<p>As Allen had said, the intruders, coming from the cellar, had turned +toward the bay side, and if they had a boat waiting for them in those +quiet waters they would have no difficulty in pushing off. But if they +had gone the other way the unusually heavy surf would have held them +back, at least for a time.</p> + +<p>"There they go!" cried Roy, breaking out through the last fringe of +bushes.</p> + +<p>"And in a motor boat, too!" added Roy.</p> + +<p>"If we only had ours," Henry mourned.</p> + +<p>But it was vain wishing. The <i>Pocohontas</i> was docked some distance away, +and by the time the boys could reach her, and start an engine that was +never noted for going without considerable "tinkering," it would be too +late.</p> + +<p>For the men had luck on their side. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> fairly tumbled into a swift +looking craft that was near shore, in charge of some one evidently +waiting for them. In another instant the chug of the motor told that it +had started. Then the boys had the dissatisfaction of standing on the +sand, panting after their run, and seeing the men gradually draw out +into the bay.</p> + +<p>The sky had clouded over and the moon, that might have been a help, was +not now of any service.</p> + +<p>"Well, there they go," said Allen, in exasperated tones. "I'd give a +good deal to know who they were, and what they were after."</p> + +<p>"Let's go back to the house and see if we can find out," suggested Roy. +"The fuss started there, you know."</p> + +<p>"In the cellar—where the diamonds are," added Henry.</p> + +<p>"That's so!" cried Allen. "For the moment I had forgotten them! Come on +back. Maybe the rascals got the stones!"</p> + +<p>The boys went back the same route they had so recently and so uselessly +traveled. As they neared the cottage a voice hailed them.</p> + +<p>"I say. Hold on! Who are you? What do you want? Remember there are +ladies here!"</p> + +<p>"It's Percy!" gasped Allen, trying not to laugh. "He's acting as home +guard!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I wonder if he has his wrist watch on," laughed Roy.</p> + +<p>"It's all right," called Henry, not wishing his sister and the other +girls to be needlessly frightened. "We're coming back."</p> + +<p>"Did you get them?" asked Betty, from the darkness.</p> + +<p>"No, they got away in a boat," answered Allen. "Is anyone hurt?"</p> + +<p>"No, but the servants and mother are quite frightened. Could you see who +they were?"</p> + +<p>"No. Evidently tramps, or fishermen. We'll have to have a look at +those——"</p> + +<p>Allen did not complete the sentence, but they all knew to what he +referred.</p> + +<p>"So you—er—missed them?" questioned Percy, when the two groups were +together again. "Too bad! I was just coming to join you. I had to have a +weapon, you know, and I found—this."</p> + +<p>He showed a little stick which he had picked up.</p> + +<p>"I should have hit them with it had I gotten near enough," he went on, +seriously—for him.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing you didn't," spoke Roy. "You might have killed one of +them with that, Percy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, so I should! I—I can strike very hard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> when I am angry. I am just +as well pleased that there was no need for desperate measures. I really +am!"</p> + +<p>But no one paid any attention to him now, though he tried to walk beside +Betty. Allen and Roy had taken this vantage place, one on either side of +the Little Captain.</p> + +<p>"Betty, where are you?" called Mrs. Nelson, from the darkness.</p> + +<p>"Here, Mother. Don't worry. It's all right. The men got away in a boat. +We are coming in to hear all about it."</p> + +<p>The story was soon told.</p> + +<p>One of the maids, going down cellar to get something from the food +store-room, had surprised a man prowling about with an electric +flashlight.</p> + +<p>The girl screamed, and her cries were augmented by the yells of another +domestic in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Then the first girl saw two other men come from some part of the cellar +and join the first one. They ran out just as the boys came up, and the +fruitless chase resulted.</p> + +<p>"What sort of men were they?" asked Betty of the girl who had given the +alarm.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know, Miss Betty," was the half-sobbed reply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But you must know! Did he wear a tall hat or——"</p> + +<p>"A tall hat? Of course not, miss. He was like a tramp, or a +fisherman—maybe a clammer."</p> + +<p>"That's how I sized them up," Allen said. "Fishermen. Did they say +anything to you?" he asked the maid.</p> + +<p>"Not a thing—no, sir. He just caught his breath, sort of frightened +like, and ran out."</p> + +<p>"Did the one you saw call to the others?"</p> + +<p>"<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'On'">Oh</ins>, no, sir, they all ran out at once, as soon as I went down. I had a +light myself."</p> + +<p>"What part of the cellar were they in?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't exactly say. They seemed to be all over."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll have a look for—to see if anything is missing," Allen +hastily changed his remarks, for the servants knew nothing about the +diamonds; or, at least, they were not supposed to know about them.</p> + +<p>"Come on, boys," the young law student went on.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but hadn't we better send for the authorities?" asked Percy. "Or at +least take a weapon," for Allen and the others had nothing in their +hands.</p> + +<p>"He's loony on the subject of weapons," grunted Roy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>Allen led the way down cellar, the girls and the servants not venturing, +though Betty did want to go. But her mother kept her back.</p> + +<p>A glance served to show that the diamonds were in the box, safe. As far +as could be learned the intruders had not been near them.</p> + +<p>"We'll bring them up, after the servants have gone to bed," Allen +confided to his chums.</p> + +<p>And when the maids had retired there was a sort of "council of war" +among the others.</p> + +<p>Opinion was divided as to whether the men were ordinary tramps, or +perhaps sneak thieves, or whether they were after the diamonds.</p> + +<p>"But how would they know they were down cellar?" asked Betty. "We are +the only ones who know of the hiding place, and we haven't told anyone, +except Percy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I never said a word!" Percy cried. Indeed he only heard the story +of the find, after the scare.</p> + +<p>"Of course if some men from this neighborhood hid the diamonds in the +sand, and knew we girls took them out, and if they were around the house +and heard something of the excitement the night papa took them down +cellar, it would explain how they knew where to look for them," Betty +said.</p> + +<p>"Too many ifs," commented Allen. "Have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> there been any strangers around +lately—tramps or anyone like that?"</p> + +<p>At first Betty said there had been none, but later she recalled that a +maid had reported to her that an undesirable specimen of a man had +begged something to eat at the kitchen door the morning after Mr. Nelson +had hid the diamonds down cellar.</p> + +<p>"And," Betty said, "he may have been hanging around when father and Will +left for Boston that day."</p> + +<p>"But how could he know the stones were hidden down cellar?" asked +Mollie.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that he could tell that, exactly," Betty admitted, "but if +you remember, as papa was going away he called back: 'Be sure to keep +the cellar locked!' Don't you remember?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard that," Amy contributed.</p> + +<p>"Well, if a tramp, who was not really a tramp, but some one in disguise, +heard that he might jump to some conclusion," Betty went on.</p> + +<p>"Too much jumping," Allen said. "As a matter of fact we're all in the +dark about this."</p> + +<p>"And it isn't a very pleasant suspense, either," declared Betty, as she +looked at the black box with the diamonds safe in the secret +compartment. "What are we going to do with that?"</p> + +<p>"Hide it in a new place," suggested Henry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>That much was decided on, and the treasure was taken up to the attic, +though there the danger of fire was ever present.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wish father were home," said Betty, a worried look on her face.</p> + +<p>But it would be several days before Mr. Nelson could return, and those +days were anxious ones indeed for the outdoor girls. The morning after +the scare in the cellar inquiries were made, but no trace of the +mysterious men was found.</p> + +<p>"I can't stand this much longer!" declared Betty, one night. "I almost +wish we'd never found the diamonds."</p> + +<p>"You're nervous," said Mollie. "We've been too much in the house. +To-morrow we shall try one of our old stunts—a picnic!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Grace. "That will be fun!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE PICNIC</h3> + + +<p>"Did you bring plenty of olives?"</p> + +<p>"And I do hope we didn't forget the cheese crackers!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, everything is here—more than we'll eat, I think, by the weight of +the baskets."</p> + +<p>"Where did I put—oh, here they are!"</p> + +<p>This last, with a sigh of relief, as she found her package of candy, +came from Grace. Mollie, Amy and Betty had, in turn, been heard from in +the aforequoted remarks.</p> + +<p>"It's a glorious day; isn't it?" questioned Grace as she walked on +beside Amy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not so nice that you need forget you're carrying only a box of +chocolates," remarked Betty, pointedly. "Take one of these baskets."</p> + +<p>"Oh, excuse me," apologized Grace, and she turned quickly, wincing a bit +as she did so.</p> + +<p>"Those same ridiculous shoes!" cried Mollie.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Grace Ford."</p> + +<p>"Why? They're the most comfortable ones I have, to go tramping about in, +and they're so stained from the salt water that they can't be damaged +any more. Just right for the picnic, I think."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you walk worse than a Chinese woman before the binding of feet +was forbidden. Don't let her carry anything spillable, Betty, or we +won't have all the lunch we count on," Mollie urged.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that so!" exclaimed Grace, with as near an approach to +"snippiness" as she ever permitted herself.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll carry the basket," said gentle Amy, always anxious to avoid a +quarrel.</p> + +<p>"You'll do nothing of the sort!" insisted Betty, who had, like the +Little Captain she was, arranged the commissary department on lines she +intended to see carried out.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, if we're going, let's go!" exclaimed Mollie. "We're wasting +the best part of the day getting ready."</p> + +<p>It was the day after Mollie had proposed that the outdoor girls go on a +little picnic, and her plan had been enthusiastically adopted. As she +had said, the affair of the diamonds was getting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> on the nerves of them +all. They had stuck too close to the house, and there was a "jumpiness" +and fault-finding spirit seldom manifested by the four chums.</p> + +<p>They were to take their lunch, and spend the day on the beach, or in the +scrubby woods, not far away, taking to a boat if they felt so inclined.</p> + +<p>The boys had offered to take them out for a cruise in the <i>Pocohontas</i>, +but the girls felt that they would rather be by themselves on this +occasion.</p> + +<p>Accordingly lunch baskets had been packed and now this glorious summer +morning they were about to start. The boys, their kind offer refused, +had gone off on a fishing jaunt—that is, all but Will, and he had not +returned from Boston. Grace had a hasty note from him in which he stated +that work connected with his new duties would keep him busy for a week +or so, after which he hoped to join his friends at Edgemere.</p> + +<p>"No news of a diamond robbery around Boston," he wrote, in a letter. +"I've written to a fellow in New York about it, though. Sometimes the +police keep those things out of the papers for reasons of their own. +Maybe they think the robbers won't know the diamonds have been taken, if +nothing is printed about it, at least that's the way it looks."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> + +<p>At any rate Will reported no news, and Mr. Nelson had pretty much the +same story to tell. His wife had written to him about the men in the +cellar, and he had advised getting some fisherman of the neighborhood to +stay on guard every night, until he could come down to Ocean View again.</p> + +<p>"We might get Old Tin-Back," suggested Betty.</p> + +<p>"It would only make me nervous," her mother said. "I don't believe the +men will bother us again."</p> + +<p>"Well, they won't find the diamonds down cellar if they do pay us +another visit," Betty had said. She had, after some thought, hidden the +precious stones in her own room, wrapping the box in some sheets of +asbestos, which Allen had left over after putting some on the muffler of +the motor boat.</p> + +<p>"The asbestos will protect the diamonds in case of fire," Betty said, +"and I'll protect them in case of thieves. Anyhow, no one, not even the +servants, know where they are, and it would take a good while to find +them in my room."</p> + +<p>For she had discovered an ingenious little hiding place for the +mysterious black box.</p> + +<p>The boys, after the scare of the men in the cellar, had offered to take +the diamonds up to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> Boston, or some other city near Ocean View, and put +them in the vault of some bank.</p> + +<p>"But you might be robbed on the train, going up," objected Betty. "We'll +keep them here until the secret is discovered. That will be the best +thing to do."</p> + +<p>"And that may never be," Allen had said, for he had long since given up +the cipher. Nor had experts, to whom he had submitted it, been able to +furnish a clue to its solution.</p> + +<p>So, while the boys had gone out fishing in the motor boat, the girls +prepared for their picnic, leaving the diamonds at home.</p> + +<p>Percy Falconer had declined the boys' invitation to go fishing, and when +Betty heard him say that he feared to go out on the water she had looked +at her chums with hopeless despair on her face.</p> + +<p>"What if he wants to come on the picnic with us?" she whispered to +Grace.</p> + +<p>"We—we'll run away from him!" had been the ultimatum. But Percy did not +pluck up enough courage to trust himself, the only youth, with four +girls.</p> + +<p>"I'll go for a run in my car, and may pick you up and bring you back +later," he said, with a glance at his wrist watch. He was still a guest +at Edgemere.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, let's start!" called Betty, and the four girls set off down the +beach.</p> + +<p>"Why are you going that way?" asked Grace, as Mollie and Betty, who had +taken the lead, started along a certain path amid the sand dunes.</p> + +<p>"Just for fun," answered Betty. "I have a fancy for looking again at the +place where we found the diamonds."</p> + +<p>"We can't seem to get rid of them, day or night—sleeping or waking," +spoke Amy. "Isn't it dreadful how they follow one?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I, for one, don't want to get rid of them," Mollie said, with a +laugh. "They are far too pretty and valuable to lose sight of. Though of +course I want whoever owns them to get his property back."</p> + +<p>"Even those horrid men?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Well, if they have a right to the diamonds, the fact of their being +horrid, as you call it, should not deprive them of the stones," Betty +said.</p> + +<p>"We ought to get a reward, anyhow," spoke Amy.</p> + +<p>"That's right, little girl!" exclaimed Betty. "Well, I do wish it was +settled, one way or the other. Having fifty thousand dollars' worth of +diamonds, more or less, in one's possession isn't calculated to make one +sleep nights. And I just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> would love one of those big sparklers in a +ring. I think——"</p> + +<p>But Betty did not complete her sentence. There was a rattling sound on +the farther side of a sand dune around which the girls were just then +making their way. Some gravel and shells seemed to be sliding down the +declivity.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Grace, shrinking back against Betty.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered the Little Captain. "Maybe the wind."</p> + +<p>But it was not the wind, for, a moment later, the wrinkled face of the +aged crone of the fisherman's cabin peered at the girls from over the +rushes that grew in the sand hill.</p> + +<p>"Oh, excuse me, my dears," she said in her cracked voice. "I didn't see +you. Out for a walk again; aren't you, my dears? Won't you come up to my +cottage, and have a glass of milk?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," Betty answered, and she could not help being "short," +as she said afterward. "We are going on a little picnic."</p> + +<p>She swung around into another path between the dunes, and changed her +mind about going to look at the hole near the broken spar, where the +diamonds had been found.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I wonder if she heard us?" whispered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> Mollie, as they lost sight of +the old crone around the rushes and dunes.</p> + +<p>"I hope not," said Betty, and her usually smiling face wore a worried +look.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>CAUGHT</h3> + + +<p>"That woman seems to—persecute us!" burst out Mollie, when the girls +were well on their way again, out of range of the sand dunes, going down +the beach where the salty air of the ocean and bay blew in their faces.</p> + +<p>"Oh, hardly as bad as <i>that</i>," remarked Amy.</p> + +<p>"Well, she always seems to be following us," insisted Mollie, "and I am +positively tired of being asked to her cottage to drink milk."</p> + +<p>"I'd never touch a thing she offered," said Betty. "I would be afraid it +wouldn't be—clean."</p> + +<p>"She always seems to leer at one so," went on Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you're making out a terrible case against the old woman," Grace put +in, carefully selecting a chocolate from her supply.</p> + +<p>"Well, she is very persistent," observed Betty. "And now let's forget +all about her, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>—well, I won't mention them, but you know what I +mean," and she smiled at her chums. Indeed Betty was beginning to think +she had been just a little indiscreet in speaking aloud of the precious +stones.</p> + +<p>"We'll just have a good outing, as we used to," she went on.</p> + +<p>"Like the time when we found the five-hundred-dollar bill," suggested +Amy.</p> + +<p>"Or when the girl fell out of the tree," added Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Gracious! Those <i>were</i> tragic times enough!" broke in Grace.</p> + +<p>"But we enjoyed them—after they were over," added Betty. "And I think +we shall enjoy finding—well, finding what we did find, after Allen +straightens it out for us."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is he going to straighten it out for us?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Well, isn't he working hard on it?" Betty wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"I thought Will was going to get us clues," Mollie went on. "Or your +father?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course they may find the owners, but they are waiting for +something to be published in the papers."</p> + +<p>"Well, is Allen doing any more?" Amy asked. "If he is he hasn't said +anything to us about it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> though of course you'd be the first one to +hear of it, Betty," she said, innocently enough.</p> + +<p>"I?" cried the Little Captain, with upraised eyebrows. "Why I, pray?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, because you and Allen are——"</p> + +<p>"That's enough!" laughed Mollie. "Spare her blushes, child!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Amy, in confusion.</p> + +<p>"You needn't worry about me," said Betty, quickly. "What I meant was +that Allen is working on a plan to solve the mystery."</p> + +<p>"Has he told you all about it?" Grace wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Not all. We agreed that it would be better to say nothing to any one +else about it until he was ready to act."</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course," admitted Mollie. "The fewer the outsiders are who know +about the—well, let's call them 'apples,' and then no one will suspect. +The fewer who know about the 'apples' so much the better. But I do hope +we each get one—'apple'—out of it," and she laughed.</p> + +<p>"We ought to," returned Betty. She looked back toward the sand dunes, +possibly for a sight of the old fishwife, but no one was in view.</p> + +<p>The girls wandered on. The day was bright and beautiful, giving little +hint of the tragic occurrence that was in the air. It was as if the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +outdoor girls were on one of the walking tours which they had +instituted. The sand, however, was not conducive to rapid progress, and +they were content to stroll idly.</p> + +<p>They were now past the place where the diamonds had been found, though +they were all anxious for a sight of the hole in the sand, to see if +they could discover any signs that those who hid the precious stones +there had come back to find their booty gone. But they did not think it +wise to visit the place, with that queer old woman in the nearby sand +dunes.</p> + +<p>Now and then they would stop to pick up some prettier shell than usual, +or to gather a few of the odd-shaped pebbles.</p> + +<p>"They look just like that queer candy they sell in Tracey's," commented +Grace, as she rattled a handful of the little stones of various colors, +shapes and sizes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the pebble candy—yes," assented <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Molly'">Mollie</ins>. "I wonder what they will +imitate next?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty of wood here for a marshmallow roast," commented Amy, a little +later, as she idly kicked the bits of drift on the beach.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" exclaimed Grace. "But we didn't bring any. I meant to, but——"</p> + +<p>"She had so much other candy she couldn't carry marshmallows," +interrupted Betty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> + +<p>Grace threw a wisp of seaweed at her chum, but the Little Captain easily +dodged it.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if Percy will really come for us in the car?" asked Amy, after +a pause.</p> + +<p>"Do you want him to?" asked Betty, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I? No, indeed!" and Amy's face was suffused with a blush.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, don't get fussy about it," mocked Mollie. "We don't want him, +either."</p> + +<p>"He'd have trouble running his car through this sand," Grace said. "It's +awfully deep and dry. Let's stop. When are we going to eat?"</p> + +<p>"Eat?" cried Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Eat?" echoed Amy. "Why we just had breakfast!"</p> + +<p>"Eat?" spoke Betty, in a tone characterized as "dull and hopeless," in +stories. "Why, Grace Ford, if you have done anything else but +eat—candy—ever since we started on this picnic, I'd like to know it!"</p> + +<p>Poor Grace looked a little startled at this combined attack on her.</p> + +<p>"Why, I—I haven't done anything," she said, innocently enough. "I just +asked when you were going to eat and you take me up as though I had +proposed throwing those—'apples'—we found, into the sea."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>"If you look back along the way you'll see at least three empty candy +bags," declared Betty.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, they were little bags," protested Grace. "I had them put in +small bags on purpose so I would know just how much I was eating."</p> + +<p>"I don't believe you ever know how much candy you are eating," laughed +Mollie. "Never mind, Grace, we all have our faults."</p> + +<p>"We'll eat soon," promised Betty. "I want to get in the shade."</p> + +<p>They strolled on, walking near the wet edge of the sand where the tide +was coming in, for that section of the beach made firmer footing.</p> + +<p>"There's a good place for our picnic," finally decided Mollie, as she +saw a little clump of scrub evergreens which grew rather close to the +water. "We can eat and have a fine view at the same time."</p> + +<p>"Is that the boys' boat out there?" asked Mollie, as they made their way +toward the bit of shade.</p> + +<p>"No, that's a small schooner. It's been anchored there for some days," +Betty said. "There's something queer about it, too."</p> + +<p>"Something queer?" repeated Amy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, the men in it don't seem to be gathering clams, which work all the +other schooners are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> engaged in around here, and they're not net +fishermen aboard her."</p> + +<p>"Who told you that?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Old Tin-Back. He notices anything odd about the boats. He said he +passed her in his dory the other day, and some one yelled to him not to +come too close."</p> + +<p>"Why was that?" Grace asked.</p> + +<p>"That's what Tin-Back didn't know. He thought it was very strange," +Betty went on. "But come on, I know Grace must be—famished! Aren't you, +my dear?"</p> + +<p>The baskets were opened, and the contents spread out on a cloth on the +sand. Grace reached for the bottle of olives.</p> + +<p>"For an appetizer," she explained.</p> + +<p>"You need it, after munching candy all the way here," commented Mollie.</p> + +<p>And then, as they ate, the girls talked of many matters, now and then +looking off toward the bay or ocean, whereon could be seen many vessels, +mostly little clamming schooners, drifting with the wind on their +squared sails, dragging the big rakes along the bottom. But the schooner +of which Betty had spoken rose and fell at her anchor, and there was no +sign of life aboard.</p> + +<p>"This is just perfect," remarked Grace, as she found a comfortable +position, leaning back<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> against a tree. "Please don't disturb me, any +one, I'm going to sleep."</p> + +<p>"I believe I'll join you," added Mollie. "Salt air always makes me +drowsy. Or perhaps it is the effect of the bright sun on the sand."</p> + +<p>While Mollie and Grace closed their eyes, Betty dug idly in the sand, +and Amy produced a handkerchief and a tiny embroidery frame and began +initialling a corner.</p> + +<p>"Virtuous girl," observed Betty. "You shame us all by your industry."</p> + +<p>"It's only that I promised Henry I would put his initials on some new +handkerchiefs he bought," Amy explained. "I must hurry and finish them, +for he is going West on a trip soon."</p> + +<p>"It's nice to have a brother," remarked Betty, idly.</p> + +<p>She tossed some sand and little pebbles toward Grace, but the latter had +actually gone to sleep, and the deep and regular breathing of Mollie +proclaimed the same fact.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't stand this!" the Little Captain cried, a few minutes later. +"I want to do something. Let's go for a little walk, Amy, and let them +sleep."</p> + +<p>"All right."</p> + +<p>"Will you go as far as the place where we found the—'apples'?" asked +Betty, with a look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> around to be sure no stray fishermen were in the +neighborhood.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you like."</p> + +<p>"Then come on. I want to see if the men came back, and tried to find the +box that was buried in the sand."</p> + +<p>It was rather a longer walk than Betty had thought, but finally she and +Amy came within sight of the lone fisherman's hut, and the log that lay +on the edge of the hole in the sand, though the latter, so Betty +expected, would be filled up by the action of the waves or wind ere +this.</p> + +<p>"I do hope that horrid old woman doesn't invite us in again," Betty +remarked. "She is a—pest!"</p> + +<p>The Little Captain and Amy were walking down the sands, in the midst of +a number of high dunes, or hills.</p> + +<p>"There's the place!" Betty said. "It doesn't seem to have been——"</p> + +<p>A noise behind caused her to turn suddenly. A scream came to her lips, +but it was choked off by the sudden forward rush of the old crone who +roughly placed her withered hand over Betty's mouth.</p> + +<p>"I—I've got her!" she croaked. At the same time a man caught Amy by the +arm, and stifled her impending cry in the same manner.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 253px;"> +<img src="images/p170.jpg" width="253" height="400" alt="THE OLD CRONE PLACED HER HAND OVER BETTY'S MOUTH." title="THE OLD CRONE PLACED HER HAND OVER BETTY'S MOUTH." /> +<span class="caption">THE OLD CRONE PLACED HER HAND OVER BETTY'S MOUTH.—Page 162.</span> +</div> + +<div class='center'><i>The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View.</i></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>ON THE SCHOONER</h3> + + +<p>Betty Nelson was an unusually muscular girl. She and her outdoor chums +had not lived so much in the open air for nothing, and taken long tramps +and regular physical exercise. They had played basketball, tennis and +golf, and though their arms looked pretty in evening dresses, there were +muscles beneath those same beautifully tanned skins.</p> + +<p>For a moment Betty was so surprised at the suddenness of the attack that +she could do nothing. She had had but a momentary glimpse of the face of +the old crone, and only for that she might have thought it was the boys, +who had stolen up behind her and Amy, and had put their hands over their +eyes to make them guess who had thus blinded them.</p> + +<p>But in an instant Betty knew this was no friendly game. And so, as soon +as she realized that, she began to struggle, and to some good purpose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> + +<p>She managed to pull from her mouth the horrible, fishy-smelling hand of +the old woman, and then Betty screamed as she endeavored to loosen the +grip the old crone had on her arms.</p> + +<p>"Help! Help!" screamed Betty. "Let me go! How dare you! What does this +mean? Amy, where are you?" for Betty could not, for the moment, see her +chum.</p> + +<p>But poor Amy was not as muscular as Betty, nor did she have the +advantage of battling against a woman, for a man had caught her, and +held her in a cruel grip.</p> + +<p>"Help! Help!" Betty cried again, struggling desperately.</p> + +<p>"Be quiet! Be quiet, my little dear—little imp!" hissed the old woman, +for Betty had struck her in the face. "Be quiet or I'll——"</p> + +<p>"Can't you stop her screams?" roughly demanded the man. "She'll have +some one buzzing down on us if you don't! Clap a stopper on her, or +I'll——"</p> + +<p>"You must be quiet, my dear!" hissed the old crone, struggling to infuse +some measure of conciliation in her cracked voice. "Be quiet or——"</p> + +<p>"I'll not! Let me go! How dare you! Help! Help!" screamed Betty, but, +even as she called, she realized how hopeless it was, for she saw no one +in sight and the thunder of the surf would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> not permit her cries to +carry far. She tried to get a sight of Amy, but could not.</p> + +<p>"Let me—let me——" panted Betty, and then, though she struggled with +all her might, making the old woman pant and hiss to overcome her, Betty +found herself being gradually exhausted. Again that horrid hand stole +over her mouth, making her feel ill, and effectually shutting off her +cries.</p> + +<p>"Quick!" panted the old woman. "I can't hold her much longer. You'll +have to tie her—or—something."</p> + +<p>"I'll do <i>something</i>, all right!" said the man, significantly. He was +having little trouble with poor Amy, who had yielded like some broken +flower. "I'll just tie this one up, and then take care of her," the +fellow went on.</p> + +<p>Betty had a glimpse of his dark and brutal face and she shuddered. It +was bad enough to have him touch Amy, and bad enough for the old +fishwife to clasp Betty in her horrid arms, but Betty thought she surely +would die if that man approached her.</p> + +<p>She tried to speak—to say that she would not scream again if they would +only tell what they wanted—take her purse and its contents—but only +let her alone. But she could only mutter a meaningless jumble of sounds +with that fishy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> hand over her mouth, pressing cruelly on her lips.</p> + +<p>"Can you carry her, and keep her from screaming?" asked the man, who had +pulled some cords from his pocket and was quickly tying Amy's hands. +Then he fastened a rag over her mouth, and poor Amy, who came out of a +half-faint, was too late to add her voice to Betty's.</p> + +<p>"Carry her—no, she'll struggle like a cat!" muttered the old woman. +"You'll have to help."</p> + +<p>"Help! Haven't I got my hands full?" he demanded. "Where are some of the +others? They ought to be back now. They knew this chance might come any +time."</p> + +<p>"They have been lying in wait for us," thought Betty. It was one of the +many ideas that raced through her brain at express-train speed. "That is +why this old woman wanted us to come to her hut."</p> + +<p>"There's some one now!" exclaimed the man, leaning up from having put a +cord around Amy's ankles as she lay on a sand hill.</p> + +<p>"If it isn't some one she's brought by her yells," snarled the fishwife.</p> + +<p>"No, it's Jake, thank goodness!" muttered the man, as a rough-looking +specimen, the counterpart of himself, peered around a dune. "Get busy +here, Jake, and truss up that other—cat!" the first man ordered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right, Pete," was the answer. "Got any rope?"</p> + +<p>"Here's some," and the one addressed as Pete kicked over some net-cord +toward the newcomer.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Betty had desisted from her struggle to get loose. She was +strong and wiry, but the old crone was more than a match for the Little +Captain. The fisherman's wife seemed to know how to handle struggling +persons, for she held Betty in a peculiar grip that was most effective. +Bend and strain as Betty might, she could not break away, and that hand +was still held over her mouth, preventing any further outcry.</p> + +<p>"Just a minute now, Mag, and I'll have her safe," went on Jake, as, with +practiced hands he whipped several coils of cord around Betty's wrists +and ankles.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop!" she implored as the woman's hand was taken from her mouth +for a second. It was poor Betty's last chance to appeal, for, an instant +later, a fold of ill-smelling cloth was put over her lips, and she was +effectually gagged. Tears of shame, rage and fear came into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Now you can carry her, without any trouble," announced Jake, rising.</p> + +<p>"Take 'em up to the shack," ordered Pete. "Then tell the others to get +the boat ready."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span></p> + +<p>Betty wondered what that meant. Were they to be kidnapped? She tried to +look at Amy, but could not see her just then.</p> + +<p>A moment later she felt herself being lifted up between the two men. It +was useless to struggle.</p> + +<p>Amy was much lighter than Betty, and was hoisted up to the shoulder of +the old crone, who seemed wonderfully strong.</p> + +<p>"Take a look out, Mag, and see if any one's in sight before we make a +dash for the shack," directed Pete. "Her screams may have been heard. +She yelled like a banshee!"</p> + +<p>The fishwife, carrying the limp figure of Amy, peered beyond the line of +sand dunes.</p> + +<p>"No one in sight," she muttered, beckoning the others to advance.</p> + +<p>"But what gets me is where the other two are," growled Pete who, with +Jake, was carrying Betty. "There's four of 'em, and they've always been +together ever since they come down here. Where are the other two? That's +what I'd like to know."</p> + +<p>Betty shuddered as she thought of Mollie and Grace sleeping in the +little clump of trees. Suppose these horrid men should go back there and +find them. It was horrible to contemplate.</p> + +<p>"Well, you've got half of 'em. That ought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> to be enough for what you +want," said Jake, hoarsely chuckling.</p> + +<p>Betty was puzzling her brains, trying to think why she and Amy had been +thus captured. What object had the old fisherman and, too, why had the +old crone been so eager to get them to her hut? Betty could only guess. +Her head ached. She felt really ill, and could not doubt but that poor +Amy was in like condition.</p> + +<p>A few seconds later they were both carried into the hut, and set in +rickety chairs. Their bonds were not removed, and the door was closed +and locked. Amy looked over at Betty, and the latter could see that her +chum's eyes were filled with tears.</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, Amy seemed to collapse. She slipped from the chair to +the floor.</p> + +<p>"Now what's up?" roughly demanded Pete. "I wish I'd never gone into this +girl business, anyhow—it's so uncertain. What's happened?" and he +looked at the limp form of Amy on the floor.</p> + +<p>Betty tried to rise, but sank back dizzily. The room seemed to become +suddenly dark. She feared she would topple over as Amy had done.</p> + +<p>"It's only a faint, the poor dear," chuckled the old woman. "I'll attend +to her. You go out and get the boat ready," she told the two men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> + +<p>Betty's brain became clearer. There was no longer blackness before her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Here, drink this," said the woman, raising Amy by her shoulders, and +holding a glass of water to her lips. The gag had been removed. Amy +drank and a little color came into her face.</p> + +<p>"Where—where am I? What happened?" she faltered.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, dearie," said the hoarse voice of the crone. "You'll be all +right soon. You're just going to stay with me a little while—you and +your friend. You won't suffer a bit of harm, if you tell us what we want +to know. You'll be well taken care of."</p> + +<p>Betty began to see a light now. She wished the gag might be taken from +her lips, and water given her, but the old woman was busy with Amy. The +girl closed her eyes again, and seemed too weak to cry out, even though +the rag was not again bound across her lips.</p> + +<p>There sounded voices outside the cabin, and a knock on the door.</p> + +<p>"Drat 'em," muttered the old woman. "A body would need four hands to +attend to all that's to be done."</p> + +<p>She laid Amy back on the floor, and hobbled across the room to unbar the +door. Betty was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> frantically struggling to loosen the bonds that held +her hands behind her back.</p> + +<p>"The boat's ready," gruffly said Jake, as he and Pete were admitted to +the shack.</p> + +<p>"That's good," muttered the old crone. "We can take care of 'em easier +when we get 'em out of here. We don't care if they do yell then. Wait +until I tie up this one's mouth. She may rouse up enough to make a +racket."</p> + +<p>Poor, half-senseless Amy was again gagged. Betty had given up trying to +loosen her bonds. Those men knew how to tie knots.</p> + +<p>And then, as before, Betty was carried down to the shore and placed in a +boat. Amy was brought down on the shoulders of the old woman, who also +got in the boat with the captured girls.</p> + +<p>"Now row out," she ordered the man. They were on the bay side, where +there was no surf, so the boat was easily pushed out. The men leaped in +and began pulling on the long oars. Betty could see them heading for the +mysterious schooner, and, a little later she and Amy were lifted on +board that vessel.</p> + +<p>"Up anchor!" came the command from some one, and, an instant later, the +vessel was in motion.</p> + +<p>Poor Betty wished she could do as Amy had done, and faint.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE SEARCH</h3> + + +<p>Grace Ford slowly opened her eyes. Grace seldom did anything in a hurry, +not even awakening, and on this occasion, after the little doze that hot +summer day, in the grove by the seashore, she was even more dilatory +than usual in bringing all her faculties into play.</p> + +<p>Lazily enough she glanced over at Mollie, who was still asleep. Grace +felt a little sense of elation that she was awake before her friend. She +did not look around for Betty or Amy, but, picking up a small pebble, +tossed it in Mollie's direction.</p> + +<p>Straight and true it went, alighting on the sleeper's nose, which, in +spite of the assurance of her friends, Mollie felt was always likely to +be classed as "slightly pug."</p> + +<p>"Score one for me!" laughed Grace, still lazily, as Mollie sat up with a +start. There was nothing slow about Mollie, waking or sleeping.</p> + +<p>"What is it? Oh, you! Did you throw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> that?" she asked, rubbing her nose, +on which a little red spot had been raised. Feeling a sting there Mollie +opened her bag and gave a hasty glance at the little mirror hidden in +one flap.</p> + +<p>"You mean thing!" she cried. "And you know how sensitive my skin is!" By +this time Mollie had glanced around her, something which Grace had not +yet done.</p> + +<p>"Why—why," Mollie exclaimed. "Where is Betty—and Amy?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, probably off somewhere indulging in athletic stunts for fear +they'll lose their figures on account of eating so much lunch," remarked +Grace, reaching out her hand toward a box that had held some chocolate +almonds.</p> + +<p>"But they're not in sight!" declared Mollie. She rose to her feet, and +glanced rapidly up and down the beach. "I can't see them anywhere," she +went on. "They—could they have gone back and left us sleeping here?"</p> + +<p>"Well, we certainly <i>were</i> sleeping," admitted Grace, with a smile that +was lazy—like her drawling words.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do be sensible—for once!" exclaimed Mollie, and her tones had a +snap to them that made Grace sit up and fairly gasp.</p> + +<p>"Why, whatever is the matter, Billy?" she <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>asked in aggrieved accents. +"I haven't done anything. And just because Betty and Amy aren't +here——"</p> + +<p>"That's just it—where are they?" asked Mollie, sharply.</p> + +<p>"How should I know?" returned Grace, determined not to be conciliated so +easily. "They went off for a walk while we were asleep, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but unless they went a long distance we ought to be able to see +them," Mollie went on. "And they're not in sight—you can see for +yourself."</p> + +<p>"If they're not in sight I <i>can't</i> see, Mollie dear," spoke Grace, this +time soothingly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do be sensible!" snapped the other. "Stop eating that silly candy, +and help me gather up some of these things. I—I wonder what could have +happened?"</p> + +<p>The manner in which Mollie said this startled Grace as perhaps nothing +else could have done.</p> + +<p>"Help me up," she begged. "This skirt is so narrow. Oh, Mollie, do you +think——" and she paused with frightened eyes, gazing into the more +determined ones of her chum.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that I think anything—just now," replied Mollie, in +rather gentler tones. "I'm afraid I was a bit cross, Grace, but you +know, dear it is——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>"A <i>bit</i> cross! You were positively—horrid. But I forgive you."</p> + +<p>"I'm always cross when I wake up suddenly," explained Mollie. "You +shouldn't have hit me on the nose, Grace."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't have, had I known you were such a—er—what animal is it +that has such a sensitive nose, Mollie?"</p> + +<p>"Bear, I guess you mean," Mollie admitted.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's it. Oh, but I did have a nice sleep!" and Grace lazily +stretched first one arm and then the other. "But where are Betty and Amy +keeping <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'themselvs'">themselves</ins>?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I've been trying to get you to realize," said Mollie. +"It's rather strange of them to go so far away."</p> + +<p>"Oh, probably Betty wants to get some more shells for those string +portiers she is making," Grace said. "Come on, we'll walk down the beach +a little way ourselves."</p> + +<p>Mollie assented and the two were soon strolling down the strand, looking +in advance for a sight of their chums.</p> + +<p>But the seashore was deserted, save for the presence of some birds that +swooped down now and then to snap up the hopping white insects which +made such queer little burrows down in the sand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>A few hundred feet beyond the little grove where the picnic had been +held, Mollie and Grace came to a pause.</p> + +<p>"I don't see them," Mollie said, and her voice was troubled.</p> + +<p>"Nor I," conceded Grace. "Do you suppose they can be hiding to play a +joke on us?"</p> + +<p>"They might," Mollie admitted. "But they would hardly go so far away."</p> + +<p>"Let's look on the other side," proposed Grace. But that beach, of the +little arm of land that jutted out into the bay and ocean, showed no +sight of Betty and Amy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I—I'm getting—worried," returned practical Mollie. "Nothing could +have happened, unless one of them sprained her ankle, or something like +that, and can't walk. Even then the beach is so open, and there isn't a +place on it that one need fear——"</p> + +<p>"Unless it's that old fisherman's hut," broke in Grace.</p> + +<p>"Oh," observed Mollie, slowly, and there came a change over her face. "I +didn't think of that. Yes, they might——"</p> + +<p>She was interrupted by a shrill whistle, as if of some boat. Both girls +turned quickly, and the same exclamation came to the lips of both.</p> + +<p>"The boys!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was the <i>Pocohontas</i> approaching, and Allen, Roy and Henry waved +their hands as they came on swiftly over the blue waters.</p> + +<p>"Are they in the boat?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Who?" Mollie wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"Betty and Amy."</p> + +<p>"Why, how could they be?"</p> + +<p>"I thought perhaps the boys might have come up while we were asleep, +taken Betty and Amy out for a little run, and were now coming back, to +laugh at us for being so lazy."</p> + +<p>"Well, they're not in the motor boat, anyhow," Mollie said. "I do hope +nothing has happened."</p> + +<p>Grace did not ask what might possibly have happened. She was just a +little afraid of what her chum might say. The sprained ankle theory was +too simple. Somehow Grace felt a growing concern.</p> + +<p>But, for the present, at least, this was lost sight of in the little +excitement over the advent of the boys. They came on, laughing, singing +and shouting, while Roy held up a string of fish. Evidently they had had +good luck.</p> + +<p>The motor boat grounded gently in the shallow water and the boys jumped +out, Allen tossing out a light anchor high up on the sand.</p> + +<p>"We came to take you home," he announced. "We thought you'd have enough +of picnic by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> this time. Where's Betty?" he asked, quite frankly. Allen +was not at all fussy about showing his admiration for the Little +Captain.</p> + +<p>"Why, it's queer," Mollie replied, smiling just the least bit, "but she +and Amy seem to have gone off by themselves. Grace and I dozed, and when +we awoke they were gone."</p> + +<p>"Probably down the beach," suggested Roy. "How's that for fish?" and he +held up the string. But Mollie and Grace were not interested in fish +just then.</p> + +<p>"We've been looking for them," Mollie went on. "We were looking +when—when you came."</p> + +<p>Something in her words and manner caused Allen to ask quickly:</p> + +<p>"You—you don't think anything could have happened; do you?"</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know what to think," Mollie faltered. "It seems—a little +strange."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll find them," declared Henry. "Amy isn't one to go far."</p> + +<p>"But Betty is a great walker," Grace ventured.</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll find them and all go back in the boat," proposed Allen. "It +looks as though we might have a thunder shower. That's why we gave up +fishing. Come on, have a look."</p> + +<p>It did not take a very long search up and down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> the beach to disclose +the fact that Amy and Betty were nowhere near. The little clump of trees +held no hiding place, and unless they had gone inland there was no other +explanation except that they had gone back to the cottage.</p> + +<p>"And this they would hardly do," said Mollie. "Unless something had +happened. Maybe——"</p> + +<p>"What?" asked Roy, as she stopped suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing," she said in some confusion. "Nothing at all."</p> + +<p>"They may have gone over to that fisherman's hut, just to see what it +was like," Mollie said. "You know the old woman was always teasing us to +come in and have some milk. She may have been more persuasive this time, +though Betty couldn't bear her."</p> + +<p>"We'll have a look in that direction," suggested Henry.</p> + +<p>"Yes, for I don't just like the looks of the weather," added Allen. +"Henry and I will go over there," he said. "Roy, you stay here with the +girls and help them pack up the things. We may have to make a run for it +when we come back with Betty and Amy."</p> + +<p>"If you find them," said Mollie, in a low voice—so low that no one +heard her.</p> + +<p>Allen and Henry set off over toward the sand dunes behind which was +hidden the fisherman's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> shack. Grace, Mollie and Roy began collecting +the picnic things.</p> + +<p>The young law student and his chum made good time. Nor did they waste +any when they reached the lone cabin. A glance up and down the beach +showed no trace of the missing ones. In the offing a schooner was slowly +sailing away.</p> + +<p>"There goes that boat," remarked Allen. "Didn't seem to have any +business around here—neither clamming or fishing."</p> + +<p>"That's right," agreed Henry. He knocked, and, after waiting a moment, +tried the latch. The door swung open, showing the place to be deserted.</p> + +<p>"Betty—Amy!" called Allen.</p> + +<p>There was no answer. Then with a quick motion Henry darted forward and +picked up something from the floor. It was a handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"It's my sister's," he said. "They—they've been here!"</p> + +<p>He and Allen looked at each other strangely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>SMUGGLED DIAMONDS</h3> + + +<p>Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway. Her sails creaked and +groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains +squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel. There was a rattle of +blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the +cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the +mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries +it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.</p> + +<p>There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up +the bay toward the more open water.</p> + +<p>"There you are, my dear," leered the fishwife. "All nice and snug and +comfortable."</p> + +<p>"Oh—oh!" gasped Betty, as the creature stretched out her hands toward +her. "Don't—don't you dare touch me!"</p> + +<p>"Jest goin' to take the ropes off your pretty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> hands, dearie," was the +smirking answer. "You don't need them now. You can't run away, you know. +Tee-hee!" and she tittered in glee.</p> + +<p>Betty felt it better to submit to the ministrations of the crone, for +the sake of being released from the bonds, which hurt her cruelly. For +they had been pulled tight by the fishermen. It was some time after the +ropes were taken off her ankles and wrists before Betty felt the blood +circulating normally.</p> + +<p>Amy lay inert on the rude bunk where she had been placed. Betty noticed +there were sleeping accommodations for three in the place, and with a +shudder she wondered if the old woman was to be their companion on the +voyage that seemed to have begun. For the schooner was pitching and +tossing on a ground swell, that seemed to presage a change of weather.</p> + +<p>"Oh—oh, Betty! What has happened?" faltered Amy, as she opened her +eyes. The cloth had been removed from her mouth and the ropes loosed. +Having done this much the old woman crouched on the third bunk, smiling, +muttering to herself, and looking from one girl to the other.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Betty—what does it mean?" repeated Amy.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I'm going to find out soon," declared the Little +Captain, with a return of her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> usual courage. She felt better now that +she had the use of her arms and legs. She started toward the door.</p> + +<p>"It's locked—on the outside, my dearie!" chuckled the old woman. "And +it won't be opened until I call to 'em. So there's no use in makin' a +fuss, my dear!"</p> + +<p>"Stop your senseless talk!" snapped Betty. "Don't dare call me by that +name, you—you horrid creature."</p> + +<p>"No use gettin' mad," said the crone, and she showed a change of temper. +"You're here, and you're goin' to stay until we put you on shore, so you +might as well make up your mind to that."</p> + +<p>"We demand to be put on shore at once!" cried Betty. "Evidently you +and—and those with you have made some mistake. We will not make trouble +for you, if you set us ashore at once. If not——"</p> + +<p>"Well, what will you do, dearie?" sneered the old woman.</p> + +<p>"My father will deal with such as you!" declared Betty, her eyes +flashing. "You must put us ashore."</p> + +<p>"The men will have to attend to that," the crone said. "One of 'em will +be here pretty soon, and you'd better answer 'em fair, or it may be the +worse for you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>Her tone was fierce now.</p> + +<p>"Oh—oh, I—I feel faint," gasped Amy. "It is so close in here——"</p> + +<p>"Get her some water," ordered Betty, authoritatively.</p> + +<p>"It's right here," said the old woman. "I thought you'd want a drink. +And you can have somethin' to eat as soon as you like. It sha'n't be +said we starved you."</p> + +<p>"Eat! I couldn't bear the sight of food!" said Betty, with a shudder. +"Here, Amy, drink this. It seems to be—clean!" and Betty tried to +express the contempt she felt for the slovenly appearance of the old +woman.</p> + +<p>Fortunately the water did seem to be drinkable, and it was quite cold, +as though it had been on ice. Both girls drank gratefully, for their +mouths were parched and dry.</p> + +<p>"Are you better?" asked Betty, smoothing back the hair of her chum.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, much. But, Betty dear, what does it all mean? Why are we here? +I—I seem to be in a sort of daze."</p> + +<p>"I feel that way myself. I don't know what has happened, Amy, except +that we were kidnapped, and brought to this schooner."</p> + +<p>"Kidnapped? Oh, no, my dear!" interrupted the old woman. "We only want +you to tell us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> something, and as soon as you do that you can go where +you please."</p> + +<p>"Tell you? Tell you what?" demanded Betty, though she felt she could +answer that question herself.</p> + +<p>"I don't rightly know what it is, my pretty!" protested the crone with +an evil glance. "My man will be here pretty soon and tell you. He has to +get the sails up, and all of that, first."</p> + +<p>The creaking of pulleys on the deck told that the operation of getting +the schooner under way was not yet completed. There was a regular swing +to the vessel now, however, that told she was getting into more open +water. Fortunately both the outdoor girls were good sailors.</p> + +<p>The old woman was putting back in a box the bottle of water and the tin +cup from which she had given Amy and Betty to drink. For a moment her +back was turned, and Betty decided on a bold move.</p> + +<p>Quickly she darted over toward the door, and pulled with fierce strength +on the knob. It resisted her efforts. The old woman turned with a +mocking smile on her wrinkled face.</p> + +<p>"I told you it was locked," she jeered. "It won't be opened until I +knock in a certain way. I'll do it soon, for we must be getting pretty +well out."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + +<p>She peered through a dirty round window that gave light to the cabin, +which seemed to be located in the after part of the schooner, though +neither Betty nor Amy had noticed to which part they had been taken.</p> + +<p>"I demand that you let us out of here!" cried Betty, stamping her foot.</p> + +<p>She looked around as though for some weapon with which to enforce her +orders, and the woman evidently guessed this, for she chuckled grimly.</p> + +<p>"You can't have your own way here," she said, with a grin that showed +her almost toothless gums. "My man is captain of this boat, and out at +sea, you know, the captain has to be obeyed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you going to take us out to sea?" gasped Amy. "Please don't! +I'll do anything if you will release us. See, I have money," and she +brought out a little gold purse from a skirt pocket. At the sight of the +gleaming metal the crone's eyes glittered.</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid," she said. "You won't be harmed. All we want to know +is——"</p> + +<p>A knock interrupted her. She glided quickly between Betty and Amy and +the door was opened a crack. Betty had a wild idea of forcing her way +out, but she had a glimpse of two rough looking men through the opening, +and she dared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> not approach. There was a whispered talk between the old +woman and one of the men.</p> + +<p>Then, in an instant the old crone slipped out, and the door was locked +again, leaving Betty and Amy alone in the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Oh—oh!" cried Amy, and a moment later she was sobbing in the strong +arms of Betty.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Allen and Henry had come out from the fisherman's cottage, +having satisfied themselves, by a quick search, that no one was in the +upper story, or down in the cellar.</p> + +<p>"They were here, though," Allen said.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my sister's handkerchief proves that," agreed his chum. "Now we +must go back to the others."</p> + +<p>"But Grace and Mollie will have a fit when they know we haven't found +Betty and Amy."</p> + +<p>"It can't be helped. There has been some mix-up somewhere. I have an +idea, but I won't spring it now. Come on."</p> + +<p>They hurried back to where the motor boat had been left.</p> + +<p>"Were they there?" asked Grace, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, they—<i>were</i>," said Allen, slowly. "But they've gone home."</p> + +<p>"How do you know that?" asked Henry in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"I don't know it!" came the reply in a whis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>per. "But we've got to +pretend that until we find it isn't so. I'm hoping it is, though. You +see," he went on, aloud, "we found they had been there. Amy dropped her +handkerchief."</p> + +<p>"But where are they now?" demanded Mollie.</p> + +<p>"They probably hurried back to the cottage."</p> + +<p>"But without coming to tell us?" objected Grace.</p> + +<p>"They probably had no time," said Allen. "My idea is," he went on, +speaking rapidly so he would not be interrupted, "that they got some +news about the diamonds, and had to act on it quickly. I think that is +why they didn't wait to tell you girls. They knew if they didn't come +back that you would know enough to come home, or they may have planned +to return to you later."</p> + +<p>"What had we better do?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"Get back to Edgemere as soon as we can," was Allen's opinion. "We'll +probably find them waiting for us."</p> + +<p>They piled into the motor boat, and used all speed in getting back. No +sooner had they reached the little dock, where Tin-Back tied his boats, +than Will Ford came racing down from the cottage.</p> + +<p>"I thought you would never come back!" he cried, his face showing +excitement.</p> + +<p>"Why, have you found them? Are they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> here?" asked his sister, wondering +why her brother had returned from Boston.</p> + +<p>"Here? Of course they're here!" he answered. "Where else would they be. +And I've found them."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how——" began Allen.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it wasn't easy, I assure you. I had to work on a lot of clues. But +I came out all right. I've found out all about 'em. Those diamonds were +smuggled, and there's a good reward offered for the capture of the men, +as well as something due for turning the diamonds over to Uncle Sam."</p> + +<p>"The diamonds!" cried Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I've found out their secret!" Will said.</p> + +<p>"We—we thought you meant you had found Betty and Amy," returned Grace, +in a strange voice. "They—they're lost! They're gone!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>TO THE RESCUE</h3> + + +<p>"What gone? Not the diamonds!" cried Will, hopping about, first on one +foot, and then the other. "Don't tell me those sparklers are gone, after +all the trouble I've had on this case—and it's my first, too! That's a +shame! How did it happen."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you and your diamonds!" cried Allen. "It's the girls who are +missing! Don't you understand? The girls!"</p> + +<p>"I don't understand," replied Will. "What's the game?"</p> + +<p>"And Betty and Amy are not up at the cottage?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>Will shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I just came down from Boston," he said. "I was told you were all +out—the boys fishing and the girls on a picnic. I could hardly wait +until you came back to tell you the news. But you've knocked my feet +from under me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, it's just terrible!" said Grace. "What will Mrs. Nelson say?"</p> + +<p>"Now look here!" exclaimed Allen, taking charge of matters in the +masterful way he had. "We've got to do something in a hurry. Of course +Mrs. Nelson will have to be told, but it may be all right after all. +Betty and Amy may have gone in to the village, to send a telegram, or +something like that."</p> + +<p>"What about?" asked Grace.</p> + +<p>"The diamonds, of course. They may have struck a clue. Now look here," +Allen went on quickly. "Will, as I understand it, you have found out to +whom those stones belong?"</p> + +<p>"Well, yes; that is, almost. There's been a big smuggling job, and those +diamonds are part of the loot, or swag——"</p> + +<p>"Such slang!" protested Grace.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry about slang at a time like this," said Mollie. "Go on, +Will."</p> + +<p>"No, we haven't time for all his story now," said Allen. "It is enough +for us to know that he has solved the mystery."</p> + +<p>"This much of it, at any rate," Will assented, "though I'm in the dark +yet about the missing girls. As I said, I've been working my government +position for all it's worth. There was a big smuggling job lately, and +they were keeping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> it quiet. These diamonds are undoubtedly part of it, +and now if I can only help get some of the men it sure will be a feather +in my cap—a whole ostrich plume, in fact."</p> + +<p>"Well, the rest of your story will keep," Allen remarked. "The next +thing is to trace the girls. Here's the story about them, Will," and he +rapidly told it as he had gathered it from Mollie and Grace.</p> + +<p>"At the fisherman's hut, eh?" mused Will. "I always thought he had a +hand in the affair. But where did the girls go from there?"</p> + +<p>"That's just what we don't know," Henry remarked. "I found Amy's +handkerchief in the cabin, or we wouldn't have known that much."</p> + +<p>"It's a bare chance that they may have gone to the telegraph office in +the village, to send a wire to Betty's father," said Allen. "We'll try +there before we raise an alarm."</p> + +<p>"But can we keep the news from Mrs. Nelson?" asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"She isn't home," Will said. "She's out calling somewhere. I've been +keeping bachelor's hall at Edgemere ever since I came from the train. +The maids told me where you were."</p> + +<p>"We might stave off worrying Mrs. Nelson if one of us could get to town +and back before she returned," said Allen. "Of course if the girls<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +haven't been there we'll have to come out with the whole story."</p> + +<p>"If we only could get to the village in a rush," said Mollie.</p> + +<p>"An auto!" exclaimed Grace.</p> + +<p>"There isn't one near enough——" began Will, when Grace cried:</p> + +<p>"Percy Falconer! There he comes!"</p> + +<p>The Deepdale johnny was coming down the road in his powerful machine. +With all his faults he had the car in his favor, though he was not a +skilled driver, and seldom could get anyone to venture out with him.</p> + +<p>"Hey, Percy! You're just in time!"</p> + +<p>"Over here!"</p> + +<p>"This way!"</p> + +<p>"Got to get to town in a hurry!"</p> + +<p>Thus called the boys and girls to him, and it is doubtful if Percy +Falconer ever received such a warm welcome before, or since.</p> + +<p>"Just the one we want to see," said Allen, getting into the car with +Will. "We are in a hurry to get to the telegraph office."</p> + +<p>"Some one ill?" asked Percy, looking at his wrist watch.</p> + +<p>"No, but there may be if we don't hustle," Allen said. "To the telegraph +office as fast as you can make it, Percy boy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And let Allen drive, if you don't mind, old man," put in Grace's +brother. "You must be tired, and we don't want to be ditched."</p> + +<p>"Oh, all right, of course. If you're in a rush," agreed Percy, +good-naturedly, and he found a warmer place in the hearts of those who +had hitherto cared little for him.</p> + +<p>"After all, Percy isn't such a bad sort," remarked Roy, as he walked +with Grace and Mollie up the drive leading to Edgemere.</p> + +<p>"He came in very useful to-day, at all events," Mollie agreed. "I think +I shall teach him that new aeroplane whirl in the hesitation he is so +anxious to learn."</p> + +<p>"Oh, a dance!" acclaimed Grace. "I'm just dying for one."</p> + +<p>"There won't be any—if we don't find Betty," said Mollie, seriously +enough.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll find them!" declared Roy.</p> + +<p>"I hope Mrs. Nelson stays away until—well, until the scare is either +over, or until we have something to go on, in case—in case they are +lost," commented Grace.</p> + +<p>Betty's mother had not returned home when the auto, driven at break-neck +speed by Allen, swung down the road again.</p> + +<p>"What news?" asked Mollie, as the echo of the screeching brakes died +away. But there was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> no need to ask. A look at the faces of Allen and +Will told her what she wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"They weren't there, and hadn't been," said Allen, slowly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but I say! What's it all about?" asked Percy.</p> + +<p>"You'll know soon enough," Will answered in a low voice.</p> + +<p>As they stood on the porch, a much-worried group of young people, Mrs. +Nelson came back from her call.</p> + +<p>There was no need for her to ask if anything was the matter. A glance +told her that. But she met the emergency bravely. The girls told their +story first—how they had awakened to find Betty and Amy gone. Then +Henry told of finding the handkerchief in the hut, and lastly Will +explained how he had found out that the diamonds were the booty of a +smuggling plot.</p> + +<p>"Well, we must get right to work," said Mrs. Nelson, and she proved +herself a worthy mother of a worthy daughter. "I am sure nothing serious +could have happened—no drowning, or anything like that. The only other +explanation is, I think, along the lines suggested by Allen.</p> + +<p>"Their disappearance must have something to do with the diamonds. It is +possible they are following some suspect, and have had no chance to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +send back word. In that case they are all right. But we must search for +them, and begin at the fisherman's shanty.</p> + +<p>"We must also telegraph for Mr. Nelson. I'll go to town and do that. +I'll also try to get him on the long distance telephone. Now, let me +see. Some of you will come with me, others will go to the fisherman's +cabin, and others will start a search along the beach, and notify the +life saving station. We must neglect nothing."</p> + +<p>"Isn't she splendid?" asked Grace of Mollie. "I feel better already."</p> + +<p>"So do I."</p> + +<p>There was a hasty consultation, and three parties were made up. Percy +offered the use of his car, and Allen elected to go in it with Mrs. +Nelson, to town. The others would go to the fisherman's shack and to the +life saving station, though at this time of year there was only one man +on duty. But he would know how to organize a corps of fishermen and +clammers to make a search, if needed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Nelson returned from the village, after sending a telegraph +message. She was unable to communicate with her husband by telephone.</p> + +<p>"We had best follow them to the fisherman's cabin," said Allen. "That +will be a sort of rallying point."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + +<p>There they found all the young folks gathered, those who had been +assigned the task of going to the life saving station having +accomplished their errand, bringing back the message that soon a body of +hardy men would be patrolling both beaches.</p> + +<p>But it was Tin-Back who gave the real clue. He came up as they were +making a second examination of the cabin, to discover some other +evidence of the former presence of Betty and Amy there.</p> + +<p>"The girls missin'!" exclaimed the old crabber. "Wa'al, there's only one +place t' look fer 'em!"</p> + +<p>"Where's that?" asked Mrs. Nelson. "Not—not——"</p> + +<p>"No'm, they're not drowned, don't fear that, mum," said Tin-Back, with +ready perception. "Nothin' like that could happen. They're off—there!"</p> + +<p>He waved his hand toward where the mysterious schooner had been +anchored.</p> + +<p>"What makes you think so?" asked Allen, after the crabber had spoken of +his belief, and mentioned the absence of the schooner as evidence.</p> + +<p>"Because that vessel has been hanging around here on purpose to work off +some such scheme<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> as that! Take my word for it, the girls are aboard +her. Pete and his woman Mag haven't gone off together for nothin'. The +girls are on the <i>Spud</i>, and bad luck to her for a sneaky craft!"</p> + +<p>"There's no time to lose!" he went on. "We've got to take after 'em, and +locate her before nightfall. We need a fast boat——"</p> + +<p>"The <i>Pocohontas</i> is in good trim!" interrupted Allen.</p> + +<p>"The very thing!" cried Tin-Back. "Hurray! This is like old times! I'm +with you!" and he clapped his hand on his thigh with a report like a +pistol shot. "To the rescue!" he cried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>ALL'S WELL—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>"All aboard!"</p> + +<p>It was the tense voice of Allen Washburn calling, as he and his chums +clambered aboard the <i>Pocohontas</i>. There had been a hurried filling of +the gasoline and oil tanks after the suggestion offered by Tin-Back, +that the disappearance of the mysterious schooner was coincident with +the disappearance of the girls.</p> + +<p>"If she only will run," ventured Roy, who was in charge of the motor.</p> + +<p>"She's <i>got</i> to run!" declared Allen, fiercely. Not all of the party +went in the motor boat. Mrs. Nelson did not feel equal to the task, but +Mollie said she would go, for her girl chums might need her in case they +were found.</p> + +<p>Tin-Back went, of course, with Henry, Allen and Roy. Will volunteered to +stay with Mrs. Nelson and Grace. At first he had begged to be taken +along, but some one had to stay to be the "man of the house," and I +think, after all, Will wanted to get another look at the diamonds, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +which he now had so strong and growing an interest.</p> + +<p>"Let her go!" cried Allen, and the motor boat glided away from the +little dock. It was late afternoon, and while the threatened storm had +held off, the daylight was fast fading.</p> + +<p>Fortunately they had a clue as to the direction the schooner had taken +after leaving her anchorage. The man at the life saving station had +observed her beating out on a long tack. He had noticed her through a +glass, but had taken no note of any girls that might have been put +aboard. But the wind was now quite strong, and the schooner would hardly +sail against it. So our friends had a certain fairly sure direction to +follow.</p> + +<p>Will and Mrs. Nelson, with Grace and Percy, went back to the cottage. +Their first care was to see that the diamonds were safe, and this was +soon ascertained to be the case.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the motor boat had taken up the search. Driven at top speed, +and with the engine "doing its prettiest," as Roy boasted, they made +good time. In and out they went, over the course, now and then pausing +to speak some clammer, but getting no information, save in one or two +instances. But they learned enough to know that they were on the right +track.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Are you going to cruise all night," asked Mollie.</p> + +<p>"No, unfortunately we'll have to turn back at dark," Allen said. "That +is why I want to cover as much water as possible before all the light is +gone."</p> + +<p>They chased after one or two schooners, but without result, until, just +as the last light of a threatening day was fading, Tin-Back startled +them all by leaping up and shouting:</p> + +<p>"Sail, ho!"</p> + +<p>"Where away?" demanded Allen, in true nautical fashion.</p> + +<p>"Dead ahead. There she is or I'm a candidate for Davy Jones's locker! +Put after her, boys!"</p> + +<p>It was comparatively easy, for the wind had died out—the calm before a +storm, and as the schooner had no "kicker," or small gasoline engine, as +had some of the clammers, she was soon overhauled.</p> + +<p>That she was at least the one which had been anchored out in the bay was +evident, for Tin-Back recognized her at once. Also it was evident that +no visitors were desired, for, as the <i>Pocohontas</i> came up alongside the +almost motionless sailing craft, an ugly face looked over the low rail, +and a gruff voice cried:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That'll do, now. Keep off or you'll get into trouble! What do you want, +anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"You know well enough what we want!" cried Allen. "Up on deck, boys! +We've got 'em just where we want 'em. There's your man, officer!" he +called. It was pure "bluff," but it seemed to have its effect, for the +man who had given the warning drew back.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" demanded some one else, coming up out of the cabin.</p> + +<p>"Oh, some fresh guys——"</p> + +<p>"Come on, fellows!" Allen called loudly. He had leaped out on the +forward deck of the motor boat. Mollie had been urged to stay in the +little cabin, and did so. But it was evident there was to be no serious +trouble—at least just yet.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Tin-Back, and at the sound of his resolute voice there +was a surprised exclamation from the group of men on the schooner's +deck.</p> + +<p>"All aboard!" yelled the old clammer. "We've got 'em where we want 'em! +Close-hauled! We'll holystone 'em an' slush 'em with hot tar if they +give any trouble! Come on!"</p> + +<p>Another instant and, despite his age and the crippling effects of +rheumatism caused by exposure in all sorts of weather, Tin-Back had +leaped to the schooner's deck. He was followed by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> Roy, Allen and a +couple of sturdy fishermen, who had been picked up on the beach.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, what do you fellows want?" demanded Pete, who was recognized +as the fisherman of the lonely cabin.</p> + +<p>"You know well enough what we want!" answered Allen resolutely. "The two +young ladies you have on board here."</p> + +<p>"There's nobody here," was the surly denial.</p> + +<p>"I tell you there are!"</p> + +<p>"You——"</p> + +<p>There came a shrill scream from somewhere below decks, followed by an +exclamation in a woman's voice.</p> + +<p>"They're loose! They're loose. Pete—Jake—I—I——"</p> + +<p>The men of the schooner uttered surprised exclamations.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Pete, leaping up.</p> + +<p>"Not so fast," interposed Tin-Back, stepping in front of the man who had +made a dash toward the cabin. "Wait a minute," and an extended foot +tripped Pete, who fell heavily to the deck.</p> + +<p>"We're coming!" shouted Allen, and, followed by Roy and Mollie, who by +this time had made her way to the deck of the schooner, they hurried +below. From behind a closed door came the sound of a struggle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"In here!" cried Allen, and he threw himself against the panels as +though he were stopping a rush on the football field. There was a +cracking of wood and a snapping of metal. The door burst open.</p> + +<p>In the cabin, struggling against the old crone, were Betty and Amy, +disheveled and almost hysterical, but otherwise safe and sound.</p> + +<p>"Allen!" gasped Betty, holding out her hands to him. He clasped them +warmly, and the old crone, seeing that the whole affair was over, slunk +off, whining something about meaning no harm to the "dearies"!</p> + +<p>"Just watch those fellows that they don't do any mischief," said Henry +to Tin-Back, when he had comforted his sister.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they won't do any harm. They know it's all up. Besides, I brought +this with me," and the clammer showed an ancient horse pistol, that, had +it been fired, would probably have worked more havoc to the marksman +than to the person aimed at.</p> + +<p>There were tears, hysterical laughter, and rapid-fire explanations—all, +seemingly, at once.</p> + +<p>"But you're safe!" cried Allen, who had both Betty's hands. Whether or +not it had been a continuous performance I cannot say. Probably it had. +Betty was a very nice girl.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, we're safe," she said, trying to control her voice.</p> + +<p>"But those awful men; that—that horrid woman!" gasped Amy.</p> + +<p>"You needn't worry about them any more," Allen assured her. "We'll see +that they get what's coming to them."</p> + +<p>Whether or not he would have been able to put this into operation is a +question. But unexpected help arrived. It would not have been easy for +the little force in the motor boat to cope with the larger crew of men +on the schooner. Besides, there were three girls to be considered, and, +though they were equal to most emergencies, both Betty and Amy were now +rather unnerved.</p> + +<p>There was a sharp whistle outside—a boat signal, evidently.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Allen, who, with Henry, Roy and the girls, was in +the cabin, so recently a prison.</p> + +<p>"It's a revenue cutter," bawled Tin-Back down the hatchway. "They want +to know if we need help."</p> + +<p>"We'll take it, anyhow," chuckled Allen. He felt like laughing now. "But +how in the world did they come, and in the nick of time?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe Will sent them," suggested Mollie. "They may be down here after +the smugglers."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> + +<p>And so it proved when Allen went up on deck and held a short talk with +an officer aboard the trim cutter, which had come to a stop alongside +the motor boat and drifting schooner.</p> + +<p>Will, left behind at the cottage with Mrs. Nelson and Grace, had +suddenly thought to send the cutter <i>Minoa</i> to follow up the +<i>Pocohontas</i>. The government vessel had come down to Ocean View in view +of certain facts Will had given his chief in the Secret Service, but +Will had not expected to use the <i>Minoa</i> in the chase. When he recalled +that she was but a short distance off shore, awaiting wireless +instructions, he rushed in Percy's auto to the telegraph office in town, +and got into communication with his chief, who was awaiting word from +him.</p> + +<p>It was but the matter of a few minutes to relay the instructions to the +cutter by wireless from Boston, and she started out to look for a small +motor boat chasing a suspicious schooner. She found both in the nick of +time.</p> + +<p>Explanations made, men from the revenue vessel boarded the sailing craft +and made her captain and crew prisoners, the old crone being among those +captured. She had tried to make off in the rowboat trailing at the +schooner's stern, but had been caught by Tin-Back.</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" he cried. "We want you!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> and the old lobsterman held +to her despite her struggles.</p> + +<p>There were more explanations, and then, as the storm showed signs of +breaking, the rescued girls and their friends set out for Ocean View in +the motor boat. The revenue officers remained in charge of the captured +schooner, and said they would see Will in the morning to complete the +case.</p> + +<p>"But what in the world did they want to capture you girls for?" asked +Roy, when they were all safe again in Edgemere. The rain was beating +against the windows, for they arrived just as the downpour began.</p> + +<p>"They thought to get the secret of the diamonds," declared Will. "I can +tell you that much. Though how they expected to do it I can't say."</p> + +<p>"But were those men who had us—and that horrid old woman—the +smugglers?" asked Amy.</p> + +<p>"No, only their tools," Will said. "In brief, the game was this: The box +of diamonds you found was smuggled from France. But before those +interested in bringing them over could make good they received word that +the customs officers in Boston were waiting for them. The government +agents abroad had sent word here to be on the lookout.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So the smugglers adopted a bold plan. They sent a message in cipher, by +the ship's wireless, when two or three days outside of Boston, to their +confederates, to have a boat waiting for them off this coast. That was +done, and one dark night the smugglers tossed overboard the box with the +diamonds concealed in the false bottom. It was fixed in a cork +arrangement, so it would float. This box was picked up, but before the +confederates could make away with it something happened. There was a +quarrel among the smugglers, I believe, and one gang hurried off and +buried the box here in the sand.</p> + +<p>"You girls came along just as that had been done, and though some of the +men wished to come back and take away the booty, others would not permit +this, thinking no chance comer would find it."</p> + +<p>"Those were the men we saw leaving in the boat," said Mollie.</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Will.</p> + +<p>"And we did find the diamonds!" cried Grace.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and that made all the trouble—for the smugglers," went on Will. +"Of course they soon learned that the box was gone, and they guessed you +girls had taken it. Then they tried to get it back."</p> + +<p>"Those men in the cellar?" asked Betty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Were part of the gang," declared Will. "And I learned that they found +the diamonds were in the cellar because a tramp hanging around for food +overheard us taking about them. He wasn't in with the smugglers then, +but later he joined them, giving this information.</p> + +<p>"But the plan to get the diamonds from the cellar failed, and they had +to do something else. That old woman and her fisherman husband were +delegated to capture one or more of you girls, and force you either to +tell where the diamonds were, or else they were going to hold you as a +ransom for them."</p> + +<p>"How terrible!" cried Grace.</p> + +<p>"But it's all over now," her brother said. "Now we have the diamonds, we +have the poor dupes of tools the smugglers bribed—the fisherman and the +men of the schooner—and it only remains to get the criminals +themselves. We'll do it, too."</p> + +<p>"Did they treat you badly?" asked Grace of Betty and Amy.</p> + +<p>"Badly enough," the Little Captain replied. "They would not tell us why +we were made prisoners. But after they had taken the gags from our +mouths, they put them on again, just before you came."</p> + +<p>"That was because they saw the motor boat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> after them and knew they +couldn't get away because of no wind," suggested Will.</p> + +<p>"We thought perhaps there was a pursuit," Amy said. "And then Betty grew +desperate and managed to attack the old woman."</p> + +<p>"But you helped," said Betty.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't let's talk about it," exclaimed Grace. "All's well that ends +well."</p> + +<p>"But it isn't all ended yet," Will remarked, significantly.</p> + +<p>Working on the fears of their prisoners the government men learned where +the real smugglers were hiding, waiting for the success of their plot, +and they were arrested. In due time they were tried, found guilty and +sentenced to pay heavy fines on the charge of trying to defraud Uncle +Sam. On the charge of kidnapping the two girls the heavier punishment of +imprisonment was meted out to those involved.</p> + +<p>It developed that the smugglers, however, had protected themselves from +the graver charge. They had instructed the fishermen to get information +from the girls about the diamonds, in any way the ignorant men thought +best, and the kidnapping scheme was the product of the brains of the old +woman and her husband. They laid the plot to capture the girls, and +secured the help of several friends, hiring the schooner for their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +purpose. When the schooner sailed away with Betty and Amy the old woman +and her husband expected to pick up the smugglers and let them force the +truth from the girls. But their plan was spoiled.</p> + +<p>The diamonds, of course, became the property of the government, and were +sold at auction, and on such favorable terms that each of the girls was +able to obtain one for herself. Will helped bring this about, for the +government was under obligation to him and his friends for recovering +the jewels and capturing the smugglers. The reward was evenly divided.</p> + +<p>"And I received a fine letter of thanks from my chief," said Will. "For +my first case he said it was a—corker!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Will!" objected his sister.</p> + +<p>"Well, he meant that, if he didn't say it," was the answer. "And I'm +going to have a vacation which I'm going to spend down here if Betty +will let me."</p> + +<p>"Of course I will," she said. "We'll have jolly times!"</p> + +<p>And then began glorious days at Ocean View, days in which there was no +worriment about the packet of diamonds. Allen was allowed to keep the +mysterious box and the original of the cipher, but he was never able to +discover the meaning of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> it, nor who the enigmatical "B. B. B." was.</p> + +<p>It was practically certain, however, that "B. B. B." was the real head +of the smugglers, he who furnished the money and most of the brains. But +his confederates never betrayed him. The value of the diamonds was +several thousand dollars above Mr. Nelson's estimate.</p> + +<p>There followed vacation days of boating and bathing, with more picnics, +and Grace had all the chocolates she wanted—or at least all that were +good for her. Tin-Back came in for a share of the reward, and bought +himself, among other things, a new fish net.</p> + +<p>And, while the outdoor girls are enjoying life at beautiful Ocean View, +we will take leave of them.</p> + + +<h2>THE END</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> +<div class='center'>Author of "The Bobbsey Twins Series."</div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The adventures of Ruth and Alice DeVere. Their father, a widower, is an +actor who has taken up work for the "movies." Both girls wish to aid him +in his work and visit various localities to act in all sorts of +pictures.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS<br /> +Or First Appearance in Photo Dramas.<br /> +</div> + +<p>Having lost his voice, the father of the girls goes into the movies and +the girls follow. Tells how many "parlor dramas" are filmed.</p> + +<div class='unindent'><br />THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM<br /> +Or Queer Happenings While Taking Rural Plays.<br /> +</div> + +<p>Full of fun in the country, the haps and mishaps of taking film plays, +and giving an account of two unusual discoveries.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND<br /> +Or The Proof on the Film.<br /> +</div> + +<p>A tale of winter adventures in the wilderness, showing how the +photo-play actors sometimes suffer.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS<br /> +Or Lost in the Wilds of Florida.<br /> +</div> + +<p>How they went to the land of palms, played many parts in dramas before +the camera; were lost, and aided others who were also lost.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH<br /> +Or Great Days Among the Cowboys.<br /> +</div> + +<p>All who have ever seen moving pictures of the great West will want to +know just how they are made. This volume gives every detail and is full +of clean fun and excitement.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT SEA<br /> +Or a Pictured Shipwreck that Became Real.<br /> +</div> + +<p>A thrilling account of the girls' experiences on the water.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br /> +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS IN WAR PLAYS<br /> +Or The Sham Battles at Oak Farm.<br /> +</div> + +<p>The girls play important parts in big battle scenes and have plenty of +hard work along with considerable fun.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS</h2> + +<div class='center'>For Little Men and Women</div> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<div class='center'>Author of "The Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.</div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Books that +charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire. Many +of the adventures are comical in the extreme, and all the accidents that +ordinarily happen to youthful personages happened to these many-sided +little mortals. Their haps and mishaps make decidedly entertaining +reading.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Bobbsey Twins Series"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL<br /><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Telling how they go home from the seashore; went to school<br />and were promoted, and of their many trials and tribulations.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE<br /><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Telling of the winter holidays, and of the many fine times and<br />adventures the twins had at a winter lodge in the big woods.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT<br /><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Mr. Bobbsey obtains a houseboat, and the whole family go <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original missing this word">on</ins> a tour.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK<br /><span style="margin-left: 1em;">The young folks visit the farm again and have plenty of good times and<br />several adventures.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME<br /><span style="margin-left: 1em;">The twins get into all sorts of trouble—and out again—also bring aid<br />to a poor family.</span></td></tr> +</table></div> +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By VICTOR APPLETON</h3> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><b>12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.</b></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Moving pictures and photo plays are famous the world over, and in this +line of books the reader is given a full description of how the films +are made—the scenes of little dramas, indoors and out, trick pictures +to satisfy the curious, soul-stirring pictures of city affairs, life in +the Wild West, among the cowboys and Indians, thrilling rescues along +the seacoast, the daring of picture hunters in the jungle among savage +beasts, and the great risks run in picturing conditions in a land of +earthquakes. The volumes teem with adventures and will be found +interesting from first chapter to last.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Moving Picture Boys Series"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Perils of a Great City Depicted.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE WEST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Taking Scenes Among the Cowboys and Indians.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON THE COAST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Showing the Perils of the Deep.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Stirring Times Among the Wild Animals.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN EARTHQUAKE LAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Working Amid Many Perils.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AND THE FLOOD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Perilous Days on the Mississippi.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AT PANAMA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Stirring Adventures Along the Great Canal.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS UNDER THE SEA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or The Treasure of the Lost Ship.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap"><br />Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By GRAHAM B. FORBES</h3> + +<p>Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank Allen, +the hero of this series of boys' tales, and never was there a better +crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the School. All +boys will read these stories with deep interest. The rivalry between the +towns along the river was of the keenest, and plots and counterplots to +win the champions, at baseball, at football, at boat racing, at track +athletics, and at ice hockey, were without number. Any lad reading one +volume of this series will surely want the others.</p> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Boys of Columbia High"> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or The All Around Rivals of the School</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Winning Out by Pluck</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Out for the Hockey Championship</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or A Long Run that Won</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br />THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><b>12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design and +wrappers in colors.</b></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<div class='center'><span class="smcap">Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York</span></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. +Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View, by Laura Lee Hope + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW *** + +***** This file should be named 19295-h.htm or 19295-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/2/9/19295/ + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Emmy and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View + Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand + +Author: Laura Lee Hope + +Release Date: September 16, 2006 [EBook #19295] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW *** + + + + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Emmy and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + +The Outdoor Girls At Ocean View + +OR + +THE BOX THAT WAS FOUND IN THE SAND + +BY LAURA LEE HOPE + +AUTHOR OF "THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE," "THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS," +"THE BOBBSEY TWINS," ETC. + +_ILLUSTRATED_ + + NEW YORK + GROSSET & DUNLAP + PUBLISHERS + + + + +BOOKS FOR GIRLS + +BY LAURA LEE HOPE + + * * * * * + +12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume. + +50 cents, postpaid. + +=THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES= + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW + + +=THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SERIES= + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOW BOUND + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT SEA + + +=THE BOBBSEY TWINS SERIES= + +For Little Men and Women + + THE BOBBSEY TWINS + THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOWBROOK + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + +COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY + +GROSSET & DUNLAP. + + * * * * * + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW + +[Illustration: MOLLIE BROUGHT UP OUT OF THE HOLE A CURIOUS IRON +BOX.--_Page 74._ + +_The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View._] + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I ANTICIPATIONS 1 + + II INTERRUPTIONS 9 + + III PREPARATIONS 17 + + IV OFF FOR OCEAN VIEW 26 + + V OLD TIN-BACK 36 + + VI THE BOYS 44 + + VII THE STORM 53 + + VIII THE MEN IN THE BOAT 61 + + IX THE BOX IN THE SAND 69 + + X CONJECTURES 75 + + XI THE CIPHER 81 + + XII THE FALSE BOTTOM 89 + + XIII THE DIAMOND TREASURE 95 + + XIV SEEKING CLUES 101 + + XV A NIGHT ALARM 109 + + XVI ON THE BEACH 118 + + XVII ANOTHER ALARM 126 + + XVIII ANXIOUS DAYS 135 + + XIX THE PICNIC 146 + + XX CAUGHT 154 + + XXI ON THE SCHOONER 163 + + XXII THE SEARCH 172 + + XXIII SMUGGLED DIAMONDS 181 + + XXIV TO THE RESCUE 190 + + XXV ALL'S WELL--CONCLUSION 199 + + + + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW + + + + +CHAPTER I + +ANTICIPATIONS + + +Three girls were strolling down the street, and, as on the occasion when +the three fishermen once sailed out to sea, the sun was going down. The +golden rays, slanting in from over the western hills that stood back of +the little town of Deepdale, struck full in the faces of the maids as +they turned a corner, and so bright was the glare that one of them--a +tall, willowy lass, with a wealth of fluffy, light hair, turned aside +with a cry of annoyance. + +"Oh, why can't the sun be nice!" she exclaimed, half-petulantly. + +"What do you want it to do, Grace?" asked a vivacious, dark-complexioned +sprite next to the complaining one. "Go under a cloud just to suit you?" + +"No, my dear, I'm not as fussy as that!" + +"Indeed not!" chimed in the third member of the trio, a quiet girl, with +thoughtful eyes. "What Grace wants is some nice young fellow to come +along with an umbrella, hoist it over her, and invite her in to have--a +chocolate soda!" + +"Why, Amy Blackford! I'll never speak to you again!" gasped the accused +one, blushing vividly, the more so as the rays of the setting sun fell +upon her face. "All I said was----" + +"Look!" suddenly interrupted the vivacious member of the small party--a +party that attracted no little attention, for at the sight of the three +pretty girls, strolling arm in arm down the main thoroughfare of the +town, more than one person turned for a second look. + +"Gracious! What is it?" demanded Grace. "Did you see--some one, Billy?" + +"No--something," came the answer from the dark girl with the boyish +name, and at a glance you could understand why she was called so. There +was such a wholesome, frank and comrade-like quality about her, though +she was not at all masculine, that "Billy" just suited. + +"Look," she went on. "Isn't that a perfectly gorgeous display of +chocolates!" and she indicated the window of a confectionery store just +in front of them. + +"Oh, I _must_ have some of those!" cried Grace Ford. "Come on in, girls! +I'll treat. They're those new bitter-sweet chocolates. I didn't know +Borker kept them. I'm simply dying for some!" and with this rather +exaggerated statement she fairly pulled her two chums after her into the +store. + +"Look!" Grace went on, pausing a moment when inside the shop to glance +at the chocolate display in the show-window. "Did you ever see anything +so--so appetizing?" + +"It looks like a display at a picnic candy kitchen," murmured she who +had been called Billy. + +"Why, Mollie Billette!" reproached Grace Ford. "I think it's perfectly +splendid." + +"But not appetizing," declared Amy Blackford. "I don't see how you can +think of eating any, when it's so near dinner time, Grace." + +"We don't have dinner until seven, and it's only five. Besides, I'm not +going to eat many--now." + +"No, she'll take a box home, and keep them in bed, under her pillow--I +know her," put in Mollie, alias Billy. "I slept with her one night and I +wondered whether she had lumps of coal, or some kitchen kindling wood +between the sheets. But it wasn't--it was chocolates! The box had worked +out from under her pillow in the night and----" + +"Mollie Billette! You promised never to tell that!" pouted Grace. "I +don't care. They were hard chocolates, and didn't do any damage." + +"No, and they weren't damaged, either," laughed Mollie. "I know we sat +up eating them until your mother came in and made us go to sleep. Oh, +Grace, you certainly are hopeless when it comes to chocolates!" + +A smiling clerk came up to wait on the girls, and while Grace was +pointing out what she wanted, the two friends stood aside, talking in +low tones. + +"Where are you going this summer?" asked Mollie, of Amy. + +"I don't know. Henry isn't just sure what he will do--at least, he +wasn't the last I talked with him about it. I suppose, though, I shall +go wherever Mr. and Mrs. Stonington go, and that is likely to be the +mountains, I heard them say. What are your plans, Mollie?" + +"About as unsettled as yours. I did want to go to the seashore, but +mamma is _so_ afraid of the water for Paul and Dodo. Those children +never seem to grow, and half my pleasure is spoiled giving way to them." + +"Oh, but they are such sweet dears!" protested Amy. + +"Yes, I know, but you ought to live with them a year or so. Did I tell +you Paul's latest?" + +"I think not." + +"Well, he has a rocking-horse, you know, and the other day----" + +"Have some," interrupted Grace, thrusting her bag of chocolates between +her two girl chums, and thus interrupting Mollie's story. "Don't you +want a soda? I've enough change left." + +"Soda? Indeed not!" cried Mollie. "And I don't want more than one or two +candies, either!" she went on, as she tried to prevent Grace from +generously emptying half the bag into her small, gloved hands. + +The three girls were laughing and--yes, truth compels me to say they +were giggling--when the door of the shop swung open, a girl entered and +at the sight of the newcomer the three burst out with: + +"Betty!" + +"The Little Captain!" + +"Betty Nelson, where were you? We've been looking _all over_ for you!" + +"Yes, so I heard," was the calm response of the fourth girl, who swung +in with a certain vigor and lithesomeness as though she had just come +from a game of tennis or basketball. There was a wholesome air of good +health about her, a sparkle in her eyes, and a glow in her cheeks that +told of life in the open. + +"I saw you turn in here," she went on, "and I knew I had plenty of time, +as long as I saw Grace with you, so I didn't hurry." + +"Oh, I haven't bought so much," declared Grace, with an injured air. +"Just because I want some chocolates now and then----" + +"Now--and--_then_!" mocked Betty Nelson, with a laugh. "Better say +_now_--and--_always_. No, thank you," and with a shake of her head she +declined some candy from the bag. "Just had lunch a little while ago. +Mother and I ate on the train." + +"Where were you?" demanded Mollie. "At the house they said you were out +of town, and we thought it strange, as you hadn't said anything about +going away, especially as we so recently came back from Florida." + +"It was just a little trip, suddenly taken," Betty explained. "Mother +and I went down to the shore to select our summer cottage." + +"And did you?" asked Mollie, with sparkling eyes. + +"We did, and, oh, it's such a darling place!" + +"Where?" came the question in a chorus. + +"At Ocean View, the prettiest place on the New England coast, I think. +Of course it's small, and old fashioned, and all that, but----" + +"Oh, how I wish _we_ were going to some place like that!" exclaimed +Mollie. + +"So do I," chimed in Grace. "Father talks of Lake Champlain again, and I +detest it." + +"How about you, Amy?" asked the Little Captain, turning to the quiet +girl. + +"I haven't heard where we are going." + +"Good!" cried Betty. "This is just what I expected. If you haven't any +plans, none will have to be--un-made. It makes it so much easier." + +"Makes what easier?" demanded Mollie. + +"My plan, my dear! Listen, I think it's just the loveliest idea. Mother +and I looked at two cottages. One was almost too small, and the other +was much too large, until I unfolded my plan to her. Then she saw that +it was just right." + +"Just right for what?" asked Grace. + +"Just right for all us girls to go there and spend the summer. Now don't +say a word until you have heard it _all_!" cautioned Betty, as she saw +signs of protest on Amy's face. "You must agree with me--at least for +once." + +"As if she didn't always have her way!" remarked Mollie. + +"We four--the Outdoor Girls--are going to Ocean View for the summer!" +went on Betty. "We'll have the loveliest, gayest times, for it's the +most beautiful beach! And the cottage is a perfect dear--it's just +charming. Mother has agreed, so it's all settled. All that remains is to +tell your people, and we'll do that right away. Come on!" and leading +her friends forth from the candy-shop, Betty really seemed like some +little captain marshaling her pretty forces. + +"The seashore!" repeated Amy. "Oh, I'm sure I should love it!" + +"Of course you would, dear!" exclaimed Betty. "And that's where you--and +all of us--are going!" + +"Oh, but you are so _sure_!" exclaimed Mollie, in accented tones. + +"Oh, but you are so--Frenchy!" half-mocked Betty, with a laugh. + +"There! It is all settled! We will spend the Summer at Ocean View! And +now come down to my house and we'll talk about it!" + +And, filled with delightful anticipations, the four girls strolled down +the sun-lit street. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +INTERRUPTIONS + + +"Come in, girls! Grace, put your chocolates--what are left of them--over +on the mantel. Now sit down, and I'll tell you all about it." + +Betty drew forward some easy chairs for her guests, who distributed +themselves about the handsome library, in more or less artistic +confusion. Betty herself took a hard, uncompromising sort of chair, of +teakwood, wonderfully carved by some dead and forgotten Chinese artist. +The seat was of red marble, and the back was inlaid with ivory, in the +shape of a grinning face. + +"Do keep yourself close against it, Betty dear," begged Grace, who sat +opposite her friend. "That Chinese face positively hypnotizes me." + +"Well, I want you all to be hypnotized into quietness, long enough to +listen to me," spoke Betty, with a charmingly commanding air. + +Grace Ford, obediently depositing her chocolates on the mantel, save a +few which she "sequestered" for use during the talk, had tastefully +"draped" herself on a comfortable couch. Mollie, with a mind to color +effect, had seated herself in a big chair that had a flame-colored +velvet back, against which her blue-black hair showed to advantage (like +a poster girl, Betty said), while Amy, like the quiet little mouse which +she was, had stolen off into a corner, where she was half-hidden by a +palm. + +"And, now to begin at the beginning," announced Betty. "Oh, I know you +will just love it at Ocean View!" and she gave a little squeal of +delight. + +"I wish we were as sure of going as you are," murmured Grace, putting +out the tip of her red tongue, to absorb a drop of chocolate from a +long, slim finger. + +"Just you wait," said Betty, half-mysteriously. + +And while she is preparing to plunge into the details concerning the new +summer plans, I will take just a moment to tell my new readers something +about the other books of this series, and give them an idea of the girls +themselves. + +In "The Outdoor Girls of Deepdale; Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and +Health," the originating idea of the four girls was set forth. They felt +that they were spending too much time indoors, and they decided to live +more in the glorious open. They felt that they would have better health +and more fun in doing this, and events proved that they were right, at +least in part. + +As for the girls themselves, they were Grace Ford, Mollie Billette, +Betty Nelson and Amy Stonington-Blackford, or _nee_ Blackford, if you +dislike the hyphen. But that latter form of name does not indicate that +Amy was married. + +In the opening story Amy's name was Stonington, the ward of John and +Sarah Stonington. But there was a mystery in her past, and it was solved +when, in addition to unraveling the mystery of a five-hundred-dollar +bill, Amy found a long-lost brother, whose name was Henry Blackford. + +So Amy's real name was found to be Blackford, though she continued to +live with the Stoningtons, and more than half the time her chums called +her by the name under which they had known her so long. + +Amy was a girl of quiet disposition, and while she had not been +altogether happy during the time she was unable to solve the mystery +about her identity, when that problem had been cleared up she was of a +much brighter disposition. Still, the years of quiet had had their +effect on her. + +Betty Nelson, often called the Little Captain, because she was such a +born leader, was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nelson, the +former a rich carpet manufacturer. Betty loved, to "do things," as +witness her assumption of the summer plans of her chums. + +Grace Ford was tall and slender, and often spoken of as a "Gibson" type, +by those who admire that artist's peculiar, and always charming, +conception of young womanhood. Grace lived with her father and mother, +the other member of the family being her brother Will, a hasty, +impulsive lad, whose character had, more than once, gotten him into +trouble, to the no small annoyance of Grace. Grace had one failing, if +such it can be called. She was exceedingly fond of chocolates and other +sweets, and was never without some confection in her possession. + +And then there was Billy--as Mollie Billette was nicknamed. Mollie was +the daughter of a well-to-do widow, Mrs. Pauline Billette, whose French +ancestry you could guess by her name and by her appearance and manner. +Mollie was a bit French herself. There were two other children, the +funny little twins, Paul and "Dodo," as Dora called herself in her +lisping fashion. Paul and Dodo were at once the loving care and despair +of Mollie and her mother. + +So much for the four chums, who were known as the Outdoor Girls. + +After their activities, as set down in the first volume of this series, +they were next heard of at Rainbow Lake, where, in Betty's motor boat, +the _Gem_, they had some stirring and exciting times. + +But, stirring as those times were, they were equalled, if not excelled, +when Mollie became possessed of a motor car, and took her chums on a +tour which ended only when the mystery of the haunted mansion of Shadow +Valley was solved. + +Glorious days on skates and iceboats followed, when the outdoor girls +went to a winter camp. And then came a contrast when it was learned that +Mr. Stonington had purchased an orange grove in Florida, and that Amy +had the privilege of inviting her friends to spend the winter in the +Sunny South. + +For what happened there I refer you to the volume dealing with our +friends' activities amid the palms. Sufficient to say that they +thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They had returned to Deepdale, their home +town on the Argono River, just as spring was budding forth. + +And now, this glorious day, the four girls had met once again, and were +ready for something new, which something seemed to be offered by Betty +Nelson. + +"You see it's this way, girls," went on the Little Captain, as she +explained matters. "Mother just loves the sea, and she has been wanting +a permanent place there for some time. Papa has been looking about, and +he heard of Edgemere, a beautiful big cottage, almost on the beach. He +said he would buy it if mamma liked it, and so she and I went to look at +it to-day." + +"You don't mean to say you have been to Ocean View, and back, this same +day!" exclaimed Grace, in surprise. + +"Yes. We went down on the first train this morning--up before the sun, +really, and we arrived before noon. It did not take us long to decide +about the cottage. Mamma and I leased it, with the privilege of buying +in the fall, if we like it. Then we came back, and on the way, in the +train, I asked mamma if I couldn't have you girls down for the summer." + +"And she didn't faint at the prospect?" asked Mollie, mischievously. + +"The idea!" cried Betty. "Of course not! She was delighted! So, as soon +as our train arrived, which was only a few minutes ago, I started +looking for you. As I came up from the station, leaving mamma to go home +in the car, I spied you three just turning into the candy store." + +"Grace is the only one who will 'turn into' a candy store," spoke +Mollie. "She will actually turn into a drop of chocolate some day, if +she isn't careful." + +"Smarty!" mocked the fair one. + +"Well, I found you there, at any rate," went on Betty, "and you know the +rest; or, rather, you will when I tell you about Edgemere!" + +"Edgemere--what's that?" asked Amy. + +"It isn't a new kind of confection, even if Grace thinks so," laughed +Mollie. + +"I--I'll throw something at you if you don't stop!" threatened the +Gibson girl, but as all she had in her hand was a chocolate, and as she +never would have devoted that to such a purpose, she once more curled up +luxuriously on the sofa. + +"Edgemere--on the edge of the ocean," translated Betty. "It's the name +of our cottage. Now, girls, I'm just dying to have you see it. I brought +back some picture postcards of the place. Ocean View is the dearest, +quaintest old fishing village you can imagine. It's like Provincetown, +somewhat, only different, and----" + +"What's that?" suddenly interrupted Grace. + +"The boys," spoke Mollie. "As if that awful racket could be anything +else." + +There sounded on the porch of the Nelson home the heavy tramp of several +feet, and the murmur of eager voices. + +"Are the girls here?" someone asked. + +"That's my brother, Will--bother! I suppose I have to go home," said +Grace, petulantly. + +"I'll go see," offered Betty. "It sounds like more than Will." + +"It is!" cried Mollie, peering under the window shade. "There's Amy's +brother, besides Allen Washburn, Roy Anderson and--oh, there's that +johnny--Percy Falconer. What in the world can have brought them all +here?" + +"Natural attractions--the magnet--as the flower draws the bee--and so on +and so on," murmured Betty. "I'll ask them in," and she went to meet the +boys whose voices could now be heard in the hall. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +PREPARATIONS + + +"Hello, Betty!" + +"Is Grace here?" + +"Where's Amy? I heard she came this way--oh, yes, they're all here, +boys. We've found the right place." + +"Just in time for five o'clock tea, aren't we!" + +"What's that? Did Percy get that off? Just for that he sha'n't have any +sweet spirits of nitre!" + +A chorus of laughs followed the last remarks, which, in turn, were +uttered after the rather drawling manner of a tall, slim, well-dressed +lad, whose countenance did not betoken any great amount of intelligence. + +"Well, it is _time_ for five o'clock tea!" remonstrated the youth who +had been characterized by one of the girls as a "johnny" for want of a +better term. + +"Oh, mercy, girls! Percy's got a wrist watch!" gasped Will Ford in +falsetto tones. "The saucy little humming bird! Zip!" + +"Behave yourselves or you can't come in!" remonstrated Betty, who had +relieved the maid at the door. "What is this, anyhow; a delegation of +protest or petition?" + +"Both," answered Allen Washburn, with a quick, eel-like motion that took +him past his chums and placed him at Betty's side. She blushed a little +at this act, but did not seem displeased. + +"We heard you girls had been seen planning some deep-laid scheme, as you +came down the street," went on Will Ford, the brother of Grace, "and we +followed. Where is my sainted sister? Making fudge or looking to see if +some one is going to treat to sodas?" + +"I wouldn't get many sodas if I depended on _you_," observed Grace, with +pointed sarcasm. + +"Save me!" ejaculated Will, pretending to hide behind Percy. "Don't let +them harm me, will you, old man?" + +"Stop!" remonstrated the slim chap, for Will was rather violent in his +action, and Percy Falconer was anything but robust. "Besides, you are +wrinkling my coat," he added. + +"Shades of Beau Brummel!" murmured Roy Anderson, rather tousled in +appearance, but with a wholesome, boyish look about him, "Save the +wrist watch, Will." + +"Say, what's the idea?" asked Mollie, a bit slangily. "Are you going to +ask us out? If you are we can't go, for we have important business to +transact." + +"Yes, fellows, this is the annual session of the Associated Chocolate +Fiends," spoke Will. "If you interrupt you'll be fined a box of +caramels." + +The laughing boys and girls crowded into the library. It was not an +unusual occurrence for them all to thus gather at Betty's home, which +seemed to be a rendezvous for such little parties. But the boys seldom +came in such numbers. + +"I wonder why they brought that--Percy," whispered Betty, when she had a +chance at Grace's ear. + +"No danger--they didn't _bring_ him--he _attached_ himself," replied +Grace. For, be it known, Percy was not very well liked. The boys did not +care for him because of his too well-dressed appearance, and his lack of +appreciation of manly sports. And the girls did not like him--well, for +as much a reason as anything, because Betty did not care for him. + +Percy Falconer was, or imagined he was, very fond of Betty. And, to tell +more of the truth, Betty distinctly did not care for Percy, though he +tried to show her attentions. Now if it had been Allen Washburn, the +young law student--well, that is an entirely different story. But as +Allen was present on this occasion, the presence of Percy was rather +mitigated. + +"Girls, we've got news for you!" exclaimed Will, when he and the others +had more or less carefully distributed themselves about the library. +"Fine and dandy news!" + +"The best ever!" added Henry Blackford, with a nod at Amy, who still +clung to her modest place behind the palm. + +"And, if you're real good, we'll let you in on it," declared Allen +Washburn. + +"Aren't they condescending, though," mocked Mollie. "As if we didn't +have secrets ourselves!" + +"Shall we tell them?" asked Grace. + +"Let's hear theirs first," suggested Betty. + +"What's the matter, Percy, has your wrist watch stopped?" asked Roy +Anderson, with a chuckle, for the "johnny" was anxiously holding the +timepiece to his ear. + +"I--I believe I quite forgot to wind it," was the answer. + +"Serious calamity!" murmured Allen, not taking much pains to keep his +voice from Percy. That was one thing about the well-dressed youth; he +never knew when fun was being poked at him. + +"No, it's going all right," Percy spoke, after a silent pause. "It's +just five," he added, with a meaning look at Betty. + +She choose to ignore it, however, and at a nod from Mollie at once +plunged into the matter she and her chums had been discussing when the +boys interrupted them. + +"We have taken a fine cottage at the shore--Ocean View," said Betty, +"and we girls are going to spend the summer there. Don't you boys wish +you were us?" + +For a moment the young men looked at one another. Then smiles broke over +their faces, which were beginning to take on the tan that would be +deepened as the summer days approached. + +"That sort of takes the edge off our news," spoke Allen. "But we'll tell +you, just the same. One of my clients," he began, "has----" + +"Hark to him, would you!" broke in Will. "As if he had more than _one_ +client." + +"Oh, Will, can't you be quiet!" rebuked his sister. "Let Allen tell it." + +"Yes," urged Roy. "Go on, old man." + +"As I was saying, when interrupted by this individual," resumed Allen, +"one of my clients, who owns a large motor boat, has decided not to use +it this summer. He has offered it to me, and we boys have made up a +party to go on a cruise along the New England shore--Martha's Vineyard, +Block Island and all that, you know!" + +"The New England shore!" cried Betty. "Why, that's where Ocean View +is--in New England. If you boys motor along there, can't you come to see +us?" + +"Of course we can!" exclaimed Allen, quickly. "But we hoped you might be +able to take a cruise with us." + +"Not a very long one, though we might go for a day or so," went on +Betty. "You see, the girls are to be my guests. We were just arranging +it when you came in. But we're awfully glad you will be down that way." + +"So are we!" exclaimed Roy. "It's a dandy boat Allen has the use of. +Sleeping cabin and all that. We can live aboard her. Be out of sight of +land for a week, maybe." + +"Hardly as long as that," objected Will. + +"Why not?" Allen wanted to know. + +"I'm expecting news, you know. My appointment--and all that." + +"Oh, that's so. I forgot. Well, we could put in every now and then, to +see if there was any word for you." + +"What's all this?" asked Grace, with a glance at her brother. + +"Just a little secret, Sis," he answered. + +"Oh, tell me!" + +"Not now. Later. Now if you girls----" + +"I say!" broke in Percy. + +"Hello! He's come to life!" laughed Roy. + +"Has your watch stopped again?" demanded Will. + +"This is the first I heard about you fellows going on a cruise," went on +Percy. "I--I really, I don't know that I can quite make it, don't you +know." + +"Oh, mercy! What a calamity!" whispered Allen, in the depths of a sofa +cushion. + +"Will you--will you go out where it is very rough?" asked Percy. + +"Rough! You should see the water along the New England coast!" cried +Henry Blackford. "Why, even when it's smoothest, a boat nearly turns on +her beam ends." + +"Would one--er--would one get--er--seasick?" faltered Percy. + +"One would--most decidedly!" exclaimed Roy. + +"Oh, dear! Then I don't believe I can go," went on the other. "But my +father has promised to go for a tour in our motor car, and I may be +able to induce him to take in the New England shore. It would be +horribly jolly if I could, now; wouldn't it? What? Ha! Ha!" and he +beamed on the assembled crowd of young people. + +"Most beastly delightful!" mocked Will, in a low voice. + +"Where's your place, Betty?" asked Allen. + +The Little Captain told him, and the two moved off by themselves for a +little chat. + +"Say, Will, why don't you want to get too far from shore?" asked Grace +of her brother. "What's the secret? I think you might tell me!" + +"I will when the time comes," he said, coolly. + +"You're not going back to Uncle Isaac's factory; are you?" + +"Father Neptune forbid! No." + +For, as a punishment for a school scrape, Will had been sent to work in +a cotton factory owned by a relative. And, unable to stand the hard +conditions there, he had run away, and had had no end of hard times in a +turpentine camp, until, on their trip to Florida, the outdoor girls had +been instrumental in rescuing him. + +"No, I'm not going back there," Will said. "It's a new line of work, +Sis, and while I'm waiting for a certain appointment I think I'll go on +this cruise with Allen and the others." + +"And do you think you'll come to see us at Ocean View?" + +"We certainly will!" + +A little later the conference of young people broke up. The boys said +they must make preparations for their motor boat outing, and naturally +Grace, Mollie and Amy were anxious to lay before their folks the +invitation from Betty. + +"But I'm sure they'll let you come," the latter said. Later that day she +received telephone messages from her chums, stating that they could go +to the seashore. + +"Then get ready as soon as you can!" urged Betty. + +"We will," promised Grace. Then as she carried up to her room a box of +chocolates she had purchased--the third that day--she murmured to +herself: "I wonder what that secret of Will's can be about? I do hope he +doesn't get into any more trouble." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +OFF FOR OCEAN VIEW + + +"Are you going to take all those?" + +"All those? Why, there aren't so many, Mollie." + +"Well, I like your idea of _many_, Betty. Why, you'll need two trunks +for those dresses. Oh, where did you get that pretty linen skirt, and +it's quite full, too; isn't it?" + +"Yes, they're coming in that way again," and Betty draped the skirt in +question over her hip, holding it up for Mollie to see. The two girls +were in Betty Nelson's room, and the Little Captain was packing a trunk. + +At least that was the official name of the operation. To the +uninitiated, or to "mere man," it looked as though nothing was being +done except to scatter dresses on chairs, on the bed, divan and other +vantage points. + +"But I have to lay them all out this way," Betty had explained, when +Mollie, running over in an interval of her own packing, to get ready to +go to Ocean View, had gasped in wonder at the confusion in her friend's +room. "I want to see what I have, so I'll know what to take with me." + +"That isn't my way," Mollie laughed. "I simply open a closet door, sweep +everything off the hooks and toss them into a trunk. Then I get Felice +to jump on the lid with me, and--presto! the trick is done, Madame!" and +she laughed and shrugged her shoulders in pretty little French fashion. + +"I simply can't do it that way," sighed Betty. "I suppose it does take a +long time to lay each dress out separately, but----" + +"It is much more kind to the dresses," agreed Mollie. "That's why you +always look so nice, and why I always appear so--so----" + +"Don't you dare say a word about yourself, Mollie Billette!" protested +Betty. "You always look so sweet. Why, you can take an old piece of +cloth and a couple of faded flowers, and make of it a hat that looks +prettier than one mamma pays Madame Rosenti twelve dollars for when I go +with her. I don't see how you manage to do it." + +"It was born in me!" laughed the French girl, as with a quick motion she +draped one of Betty's garments about her shoulders, producing an effect +at which Betty gasped in pleasure. + +"Now, why doesn't that ever look like that on _me_?" she demanded. + +"Betty, you're a dear!" replied Mollie, without answering. "Now I am +keeping you. I must run back. I haven't begun to pack yet, and I know +Paul and Dodo will have my room in dreadful shape. They are probably, at +this minute, parading around in my best frocks, playing soldier," and +Mollie with a laughing kiss for her chum jumped up and fled from the +room to hurry home and minimize the work of the playful twins. + +"Don't forget the time!" cried Betty, after her chum, leaning out of the +window of her room, and breathing in deep of the balmy June air. "We +leave a week from to-day." + +"Oh, I won't forget!" answered Mollie. "It is altogether too delightful +for that." + +Betty resumed her inspection of dresses, to determine which she should +take, while Mollie hastened home. But Betty had not long been alone when +the doorbell tinkled and Grace Ford was announced. + +"Tell her to come right up, if she will," Betty directed the maid, and +the tall, willowy one entered with a rush and a rustling of silken +skirts. + +"My!" gasped Betty, looking up from her position, kneeling amid a pile +of clothes. "All dressed up and no place to go, Grace! What does it +mean? No, thank you, no chocolates when I'm looking over my pretty +things. I might spot them." + +"That's just what happened to me," sighed the Gibson girl. "I had to put +on my best silk petticoat, as I spilled a lot of chocolate down my +other. I sent it away to be cleaned, and that's why I'm wearing my best +one. Don't you just love the swish of silk?" + +"I guess we all do," answered Betty. "Oh, dear!" + +"What's the matter?" asked Grace. "Oh, but you are going at it +wholesale; aren't you?" as she surveyed the room overflowing with +clothes. + +"Have to, my dear. It means an all-summer stay, you know. And I don't +know what to take and what to leave. I'm sure to want the very things I +don't take." + +"Take them all, then. That's what I'm doing. Only I haven't really begun +yet. I just ran over to ask you something." + +"Well, let it be something very easy, Grace dear. My brain isn't capable +of taking in very much this morning." + +"It's about Will," went on Grace, thoughtfully selecting a chocolate +from a bag. "Are you sure you won't have some?" she asked. + +"What, of Will? No, thank you!" + +"Silly, of course not. I mean this candy. It's delicious! Just fresh +and----" + +"Cloying," interrupted Betty. "You haven't a lime drop, have you?" + +"Ugh! The horrid, sour things, no! But about Will. Did you know he had a +secret Betty?" + +"A secret? Mercy, no! Is it about some----" + +"I don't believe it's a girl. If it is, Will acts the funniest of anyone +I ever saw. He has a lot of books and papers he's studying over." + +"It might be her--letters--or--her picture that he puts in a book so no +one will see----" + +"It isn't that!" declared Grace with conviction. "Oh, this is a nougat!" +she exclaimed in rapture, as her white teeth bit into a particularly +delicious candy. + +"Hopeless!" sighed Betty, folding a skirt neatly. + +"I mean he hasn't any girl's picture, or anything like that," went on +Grace. "I found one of the books where he had laid it down. It is some +sort of Government report. I thought you might know." + +"Why?" asked Betty, quickly. "I'm not in his confidence." + +"I know, but you see, Will and Allen being so chummy, and Allen being so +fond of you----" + +"Grace Ford!" broke in Betty. "You shouldn't say such things!" and she +blushed crimson. + +"Why not?" demanded Grace, coolly. "There's no one here but us, and we +know it. I thought perhaps Will had told Allen, and Allen might have +hinted to you." + +"Not a word, Grace, dear. I didn't even know Will had a secret." + +"Well, he has, and he won't tell me. But I'll find out. He's up to +something. I only hope he doesn't run away again, or do something +foolish." + +"Will doesn't mean anything," declared Betty. "He is just high-spirited; +that's all. What sort of a secret did it seem to be, if it wasn't +about--girls?" and Betty laughed. + +"Oh, I'm sure it isn't about girls," Grace went on, seriously enough. +"At least it isn't any girl in our set, and Will doesn't know any +others. And if it is some one in our set, they're all nice girls, so it +won't really matter--after we get used to it." + +"Oh, dear!" laughed Betty. "You speak as though he were engaged!" + +"Oh, I know he isn't," declared Grace. "But he _is_ such a tease. But if +you don't know, you don't, Betty. And now I must run back. Have any of +the other members of the club been over?" + +"Yes, Mollie was just here." + +Grace fished out another chocolate, after shaking up the bag to see if +there were any choice ones at the bottom, and then, after trying in vain +to induce Betty to accept a sweet, took her departure, saying she was +going to see to her own packing. + +"Now it only needs a call from Amy to make the round of visits +complete," murmured Betty, as she resumed the sorting of her garments. +But Amy did not come that morning. + +The outdoor girls were making ready for their trip to Ocean View, where +the better part of the summer would be spent. + +The arrangements had been made for the Nelson family to occupy the +beautiful cottage, Edgemere, which was completely furnished. + +"Even to matches and a candle in each bedroom," Betty had said. + +"But I thought you said it was a modern place," objected Grace. "I don't +like candles--excuse me, Betty dear, but they are so--so smelly!" + +"I know. The candles are only for emergency. The house has electric +lights." + +"Electric lights! I thought Ocean View was such a _quaint_ old place," +murmured Mollie. + +"So it is. The electric plant is in Point Lomar, that swell summer +resort. Only a few places in Ocean View have electricity." + +And so the arrangements went on. Mollie, Grace and Amy were to be +Betty's guests during the summer, though their parents or relatives had +a standing invitation to spend week-ends and holidays at the shore. + +"And of course the boys are always welcome!" added Betty. + +"And of course we'll _come_!" declared Will and the others. "That is, +I'll spend as much time as I can away from my official duties!" + +"Oh, he nearly told us then!" cried Grace. "Will, I'll never speak to +you again, if you don't tell me that secret." + +"You shall know in due time, sister mine. As for your threat, I don't +mind your not speaking to me if you don't make me buy your chocolates. I +care not who speaks to me!" he paraphrased, "as long as I do not have to +buy their candy!" + +"Here comes Percy Falconer!" interrupted Roy, and the little +conference, one of many held whenever the friends met--broke up. + +While the girls were getting ready with trunks of clothes, the boys were +no less busily engaged. They had completed their plans for a series of +cruises along the coast, in the motor boat _Pocohontas_, loaned to Allen +Washburn by a wealthy gentleman for whom he had done some law business, +though Allen was not as yet admitted to the bar. + +"I'll have a chance to practice this summer, getting the boat off a +sand-bar!" he had jokingly said. + +And finally trunks were packed, tickets had been purchased, word had +come from Ocean View that the cottage was in readiness, and at last, on +a beautifully sunny June morning, the outdoor girls stood at the +station, ready to take the train. + +The boys were there, also, as might have been guessed. + +"And when are you coming down in the boat?" asked Betty. + +"In about a week," Allen said. "We're having the engine overhauled, a +new magneto put in and some other things done." + +"I'm coming in the auto," broke in Percy Falconer. "Father did not want +me to make the boat trip, but the chauffeur will bring me down to the +shore in the car." + +"Pity he wouldn't use a feather bed," murmured Roy Anderson. + +"Oh, here comes the train!" cried Mollie. "Girls, I'm almost sure I've +forgotten half my things." + +"Good-bye, girls!" chorused the boys. + +"Good-bye!" came the answer. + +"Oh, Grace!" called Will to his sister. + +"Yes," she answered. + +"That secret of mine." + +"Oh, yes. What is it? Do tell me! I haven't a second----" + +"I'll tell you--when I come down!" his words floated to her as she was +borne along the platform with her chums to the train that was to take +them to Ocean View. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +OLD TIN-BACK + + +"Isn't he provoking!" murmured Grace, sinking into a seat beside Mollie, +as the train slowly pulled out. + +"Who?" asked Mollie, leaning toward the window to wave to the boys on +the platform. + +"My brother Will. He's up to something--he has a secret and he won't +tell me!" + +"Don't let him know you care, and he'll tell you all the quicker. Boys +are that way," declared Mollie, with the accumulated wisdom +of--say--seventeen years. + +"Yes, I suppose so," agreed Grace, and then she began a hurried search +among the various articles she had deposited on the seat between herself +and Mollie. + +"What is it--lost something?" asked the latter. + +"My bag of--oh, here they are," and Grace, with a look of contentment, +began munching some chocolates. + +"It is awfully nice of you, Mrs. Nelson, to ask us down for the summer," +said Amy Blackford to her hostess when they were settled in the speeding +train. "I do so love the seashore." + +"Then I think you will like it at Ocean View," remarked Betty's mother. +"And we think Edgemere a pretty place." + +"I'm sure it must be from what Betty has told me." + +"Do you like lobsters?" asked Mr. Nelson, looking over the top of his +paper, with a twinkle in his eyes. + +"Lobsters?" repeated Amy, questioningly. "I haven't eaten many." + +"It's a great place for lobsters at Ocean View," went on Betty's father. +"That's one reason I decided on it." + +"The idea!" cried his wife. "To hear you talk anyone would think you +never ate anything else, and you know if you take too much _a la +Newburg_ you don't feel well the next day." + +"I'm going to take only the plain boiled, and salads," declared Mr. +Nelson. "But there's an old lobsterman--Tin-Back, they call him--near +Edgemere in whom I think you girls will be interested," he went on. +"He's quite a character." + +"Why do they call him Tin-Back?" asked Amy. "Has he really a----" + +"A tin back? How funny that would be?" laughed Betty. + +"You must ask him," declared her father. "I didn't have time when I came +down to see if everything was all right." + +"Oh, what lovely times we'll have, girls!" sighed Mollie, when, a little +later, the four chums were conversing. "We can go sailing, bathing and +sit on the sands and watch the tide come in." + +"And perhaps find buried pirate-treasure in some cave," added Betty, +with a laugh. + +"Can we, really?" asked Amy, perhaps the most unsophisticated of the +quartette. + +"Really what?" asked Grace, silently offering her bag of sweets. The +habit was almost automatic with her. + +"Find buried treasure," said Amy, eagerly. "I should love to do that. +I've often read----" + +"That's all you can do--read about it," spoke Mollie, regretfully. +"There isn't any romance left in this world. If there was a pirate's +cave it would be lighted with electricity and an admission fee charged. +And yet the New England coast ought to contain some treasure. Some +pirates used to land there." + +"Did they, Mr. Nelson?" asked Amy, catching sight of Betty's father +again glancing over the top of his paper. + +"Did pirates ever land on the coast near where we are going?" + +"Well, perhaps, yes. I believe there are several stories about Kidd's +treasure being buried somewhere around Ocean View. Or, perhaps it would +be more correct to say that _one_ of Kidd's treasures. On the very +lowest count he must have had at least a double score, all hidden in +different places." + +"Really?" demanded Amy, with glistening eyes, and flushed cheeks. + +"Well, as really as any other treasure story, I suppose," answered Mr. +Nelson, while Betty murmured: + +"Oh, Daddy! Don't tease her!" + +"I'm not!" he declared. "It is possible that there may be some treasure +buried in the sand near Ocean View. Stranger things have happened." + +"Oh, what if _we_ should find it!" cried Amy. "I'm going to look the +first thing I do." + +"Find what?" asked Grace, who had been looking from the window as they +passed through a town. + +"Buried treasure," Amy said. + +"Oh, I thought you meant Will's secret," observed Grace. "I wonder +where that train boy is?" she went on. + +"What for?" asked Betty. + +"I want another box of those chocolates. They were a new kind and----" + +"Grace Ford! If you buy another bit of candy before we arrive I--I don't +know what I'll do to you!" threatened Betty. + +The train rolled on, as all trains do, and, eventually, the little +seaside resort of Ocean View was reached. There was the usual scramble +on the part of our friends, and other passengers, to alight, and when +the girls stood on the rather dingy platform of the station Mollie, +looking about her in some disappointment, said: + +"Ocean View! I don't see why they call it that. You can't see the ocean +at all." + +"It's down that way," said Mr. Nelson, with a wave of his hand toward +the east. "Property is too valuable along the shore to allow of the +village being there. The town is about a mile back from the water. We'll +take a carriage to the cottage. You see the railroad doesn't run very +close to the ocean." + +Ocean View was like most summer resorts, built some distance back from +the shore, which property was held by cottage or bungalow owners. There +were several shell roads running from the main street of the town down +to the water's edge, however. And soon, in a carriage, with their +valises piled around them, our party set off for Edgemere, leaving a +truckman to bring the trunks. + +"Oh what a perfectly dear place!" exclaimed Grace, as the carriage +turned along a highway that paralleled the beach. "And how blue the +water is!" + +They were up on a little elevation. Down below them was a large bay, +enclosed in a point of land that ran out into the ocean, forming a +perfect breakwater. + +"Where is Edgemere?" asked Mollie. + +"Over there," answered Betty, pointing. + +The girls beheld a large cottage nestling amid a group of evergreen and +other trees, on the very point of land that jutted out, with the bay on +one side and the ocean on the other. + +"Oh, how perfectly charming!" exclaimed Amy. "And we can have still +water bathing as well as that in the surf." + +"Exactly," answered Betty. "That's why mamma and I decided on it. I like +still water myself." + +"So do I," murmured Amy. + +"I don't! I want the boiling surf!" declared Mollie, who was an +excellent swimmer. + +They drove up to the cottage, finding new delights every moment, and +when the carriage stopped within the fence, at the side porch, the whole +party waited a moment before alighting to admire the place. + +"It _is_ nice," decided Mrs. Nelson. "I had forgotten part of it, but I +like it even better than I thought I should." + +"It's sweet!" declared Grace. + +"Horribly fascinating, as Percy Falconer would say," mocked Mollie. + +"Don't!" begged Betty, making a wry face. + +As they were alighting, a quaint figure of an old man, bent and +shuffling, with gnarled and twisted hands, and a face almost lost in a +bush of beard, yet in whose blue eyes twinkled kindliness and good +fellowship, came around the side path. + +"Wa'al, I see ye got here!" he exclaimed in hoarse tones--his voice +seemed to be coming out of a perpetual fog. + +"Yes, we've arrived," Mr. Nelson said. + +"Glad ye come. Ye'll find everything all ready for ye! 'Mandy has a fire +goin', an' th' chowder's hot." + +"Who is he?" asked Mrs. Nelson, in a whisper. + +"Old Tin-Back," replied her husband. "He's a lobsterman and a +character. I engaged his wife to clean the cottage, and be here when you +arrived." + +"Yes, I'm Old Tin-Back," replied the man with a gruff but not unpleasant +laugh. "Leastways they all calls me that. I'll take them grips," he went +on, as the girls advanced, and into his gnarled hands he gathered the +valises. + +"Oh, what a delicious smell!" exclaimed Mollie, as they went up the +steps. + +"That's th' chowder," chuckled the old lobsterman. "I reckoned it'd be +tasty. Plenty of quahogs in _that_." + +"What?" gasped Amy. + +"Quahogs--big clams, miss," he explained. "Old Tin-Back dug 'em this +mornin' at low tide. Nothin' like quahogs for chowder, though some folks +likes soft clams. But not for Old Tin-Back." + +"Is--is that really your name?" asked Amy. + +"Wa'al not _really_, miss. It's a sort of nickname. You see, I sell +clams, lobsters and crabs, but I don't never sell no tin-back crabs, and +so they sorter got in the habit of callin' me that." + +"What are tin-backs?" asked Amy, but before the lobsterman could answer, +Betty, from within the cottage, called to her chums: + +"Come, girls, and select your rooms!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE BOYS + + +Amy remained standing beside the old lobsterman. Mollie and Grace had +followed Mrs. Nelson and Betty into the cottage. Mr. Nelson was paying +the carriage driver, and arranging to have some things brought over from +the station. + +"Tin-backs," repeated Amy. "What sort of crabs are they?" + +"Soft crabs, just turnin' hard, miss," explained the old man. "If you +punch in their backs they spring up and down like the bottom of a tin +dish pan. That's why they call 'em that. Tin-backs is tough to eat. I +never sell 'em, though some folks do. That's why they call me that, I +guess." + +"Oh!" remarked Amy. "Then that means you are--honest!" + +"Wa'al, miss, I don't lay no special claims to virtue," he protested. + +"But if you don't sell tinny crabs--ugh, how funny that sounds--then you +_must_ be honest!" Amy insisted. "I'm so glad to know you. Tell me, is +there any pirate's treasure buried around here?" + +Old Tin-Back looked at her, startled. Then he edged away slightly. + +"Exactly," laughingly said Amy afterward, "as though I had announced +that I was a militant suffragist, and intended burning his boats." + +"Pirate's treasure, miss?" repeated the old lobsterman. "I--er--I never +found any." + +"But Mr. Nelson said there might be some." + +"Oh, there _might_--yes. And I _might_ find a dead whale with a lump of +ambergris in him, as big as a barrel," spoke Tin-Back, "but I never +_have_." + +"What's ambergris?" asked Amy, who rather enjoyed his talk. + +"I don't rightly know, miss, but it's something like a lump of suet in a +dead whale, and it's worth its weight in gold. It makes perfume!" + +"The idea," murmured Amy, with a little shudder. "I don't believe I +shall like perfume after that." + +"Oh, I don't s'pose they use none of it around Ocean View," spoke Old +Tin-Back, with a frank air. "Anyhow, we never see a dead whale in these +parts. There was one once, but folks was glad when the high tide carried +him out to sea. I guess they're callin' you," he added. + +Amy was aware of Betty summoning her within the cottage. She smiled at +Tin-Back and entered the house. + +"Where were you?" demanded Betty. "I want you to see which room you like +best. There are several to choose from." + +"I was talking with the lobsterman," explained Amy. "He is called +Tin-Back because he never sells that sort of crab, and he hopes he can +find a lump of ambergris in a dead whale some day." + +"Well, if that isn't a combination!" laughed Mollie. "Oh, but I think my +room is the _dearest_ one! Come and see it, Amy." + +"Not until she selects her own," decided Betty. + +Then began the settling down in the charming cottage of Edgemere at +Ocean View. The girls had bedrooms adjoining, and across from one +another along a hall that ran the whole length of the house, and ended +in a little open balcony at either end. The house stood on a point of +land, and from one end a view could be had of the ocean, while the other +opened on Lobster Bay. There was a large plot of ground around the +Nelson cottage so that other bungalows were not too near. And it was in +the midst of a little summer colony of houses, so, though it stood +rather by itself, the place was not in the least lonesome. + +Trunks were unpacked, valises stripped of their contents, closets and +chiffoniers filled, bureaus blossomed with a wonderful collection of +combs, brushes, barettes, ribbons, and various bottles and jars. For, +though the outdoor girls were not afraid of sun, wind or rain, Betty had +warned them that sunburn was not an ailment to be rashly courted, and +that cold cream, or talcum powder, judiciously used, might lessen many a +smart. + +Behold our friends then, a little later, well fortified within with clam +chowder and other dainties prepared by 'Mandy, the wife of Old Tin-Back, +strolling along the ocean beach. Mrs. Nelson was superintending the +efforts of the maid to bring some order out of chaos at the cottage. + +"It is perfectly lovely!" murmured Mollie, as she and her chums walked +along the strand. "Charming." + +"And so sweet of you to ask us down, Betty dear!" declared Grace. + +"Oh, it was partly selfishness," Betty admitted. "I didn't want to stay +here all summer alone." + +"May we always meet with that sort of selfishness," observed Amy. + +"I wonder when the boys will come," went on Grace. + +"Lonesome already?" asked Betty, smiling. + +"No. But Will promised to let me know what new plans he had when he +came, and I've tried so hard to guess his secret that I'm tired." + +"Give it up," advised Mollie. "Oh, look what pretty shells!" and she +gathered several from the sand. + +"How damp it is!" exclaimed Grace. "Positively, there isn't a bit of +curl left in my hair. But just look at Amy's! I never saw it so pretty!" + +"The salt air agrees with hers," said Betty. "We'll all have nice +complexions if this Newport fog continues," and she indicated the mist +arising from the sea. + +"Let's sit down and just look at the ocean," suggested Amy, when they +had walked some distance down the beach, and while they were thus idly +employed, and when the afternoon was waning, they spied a solitary +figure approaching them down the stretch of sand. + +"It's Old Tin-Back," said Betty. "I wonder if he is looking for us?" + +"He seems to be looking for something on the beach," commented Grace, +"and unless he thinks we have slipped down one of those funny little +holes the sand fleas make, I can't see how he could be searching for +us." + +But the old lobsterman had a message for them, nevertheless, for when +he came within hailing distance he called hoarsely: + +"Ahoy there, young ladies! Your folks want you to come back. I told 'em +I'd tell you if I saw you as I come along, and I done it." + +"What were you looking for--treasure?" asked Grace, with a mischievous +smile at Amy. + +"Treasure? Humph, no, miss. I was looking for some of my lobster pots. A +lot of them dragged their moorings in the last storm, and they get cast +upon the beach sooner or later." + +"Did you ever find any treasure on the beach?" demanded Betty. + +"Wa'al, no, not exactly what you could call _treasure_!" was the slow +and cautious answer, "but I did find a pipe once, an' it lasted me for +quite a while. Found it jest after I lost my corncob, too. So, in a +manner of speakin', I did find suthin'." + +"But never gold, or diamonds or _real_ treasure, washed up from a +wreck?" asked Amy, eagerly. + +"No, miss." + +"Are there ever wrecks?" inquired Betty. + +"Oh, yes, once in a while, though not usually this time of year. In the +winter the sea's altogether different, miss. It's terrible cruel and +cold. Then we have wrecks. Why, right off there, two year ago," and +with a gnarled finger he pointed though at no particular object as far +as the girls could see, "right off there a three-master went down one +night in a January, and all hands--eleven of 'em--was drownded." + +"Didn't anyone try to save them?" asked Grace. + +[Illustration: THE OLD LOBSTERMAN PEERED THROUGH A BATTERED SPY-GLASS. +"THAT'S HER," HE ANNOUNCED.--_Page 51._ + +_The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View._] + +"Oh, yes, they tried, miss, but they couldn't launch the boat, and the +wind was blowin' so they couldn't shoot a line over. The boat went to +pieces on the bar, and the bodies washed ashore next day." + +He told it simply, and was silent for a space. + +"Does anything ever wash ashore from the wrecks?" asked Mollie. + +"Oh, yes, once in a while, but not what you could rightly call treasure. +Once a banana steamer got on the bar, and they had to throw over lots of +cargo to lighten her. Folks here made quite a tidy sum collectin' them +bunches of green bananas." + +"But no boxes of gold or diamonds--mysterious, locked boxes?" asked Amy, +still hopefully. + +"No, miss, nothin' like that," and Old Tin-Back looked as though he was +not altogether sure whether or not he was being made fun of. + +The days passed at Ocean View, sunny, happy days. Each one brought new +pleasure and delight to the outdoor girls, and they lived up to their +name, for they were seldom in the house. They bathed and rowed in the +bay, or paid visits to the quaint little town, where Grace discovered an +old French woman who made delicious taffy. + +"So Grace's happiness is assured for the summer," declared Mollie. + +Then came a day when, as the four went down to see Old Tin-Back set off +from the little dock in his dory to take up his lobster pots, they saw a +motor boat heading into the bay. + +"Oh, if that should be the boys!" exclaimed Grace, hopefully. "They +wrote they might come this week; didn't they?" + +"Yes," answered Betty. + +"What boat ye lookin' fer?" asked Tin-Back. + +"The _Pocohontas_," answered Amy. + +The old lobsterman peered through a battered spyglass he took from a +locker-box in his dory. + +"That's her," he announced. + +And so it proved. The big motor boat swung up to the dock and Will, Roy, +Henry and Allen smiled at the girls. + +"Well, we're here, you see!" announced Grace's brother. "This is the +first real stop of our cruise. Been having a fine time these last five +days. But we're glad we're here." + +"And we're glad to see you!" responded Betty. "Do come up to the +cottage. Mamma will want to see you. How long can you stay?" + +"Oh, a week--two weeks--a month in a place like this with--ahem! such +nice girls!" remarked Roy. + +"Oh, what's that? You scratched me!" exclaimed Grace as she suffered her +brother to imprint a sort of half-way kiss on her cheek. His coat blew +open, disclosing something shining through an armhole of his vest. + +"Oh, that's my--badge!" he announced. + +"Your badge? What are you, a pilot?" demanded Amy. + +"Ahem! At your service!" exclaimed Will, with a low bow, as he extended +a card to his sister. Grace fairly grabbed it from him, and read her +brother's name, while, in a corner of the pasteboard, under a monogram +device, were the letters "U. S. S. S." + +"What does it mean?" she asked. + +"That's the secret," Will explained. "I have joined the United States +Secret Service, sister mine!" + +"Secret Service!" repeated Grace. "What does it mean?" + +"It means I'm out for smugglers, counterlaws. So beware!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE STORM + + +For a moment or two the girls did not know whether or not to accept as +truth the statement Will had made in such a dramatic manner. Then his +sister Grace burst out with: + +"Oh, Will, is it really true? Is that the secret you were going to tell +me?" + +"That's the secret, Sis! Isn't it a good one, and didn't I keep it +well?" + +"You certainly did, but I didn't expect it would be that. I thought it +would be about--about--er----" + +She paused in some confusion. + +"She thought it would be about a _girl_!" broke in Mollie. "Why wasn't +it, Will?" + +"It may be yet. There are lady smugglers, you know!" + +"Oh, nonsense!" + +"Will Ford!" + +"Is it really true?" + +"I think he's just teasing us!" + +Thus cried the girls in turn, Betty appealing to Allen in an aside to +know whether Will really had been appointed to a government position. + +"Oh, yes, its true enough," Allen said, smiling indulgently. + +And finally, after a little gale of laughter had subsided, Will managed +to make the girls, his sister included, understand, and believe that he +really was telling the truth. Then they inspected his badge, looked at a +sort of identifying card he carried in an inner pocket, and were +satisfied. + +"But what does it all mean?" asked Grace. "I didn't know you were going +in for that sort of thing, Will! How did it happen? And are there any +smugglers around here?" + +"Hist! Not a word! Sush! Take care!" hissed her brother, stepping about +with elaborate precautions on tiptoes, glancing rapidly from side to +side, while he flashed a pretended dark lantern, and Allen imitated the +low, shivery music of a Chinese orchestra. + +"They may be here any minute!" chanted Will in dramatic tones. "Quick! +We must hide those diamonds. And then, gal, at the peril of your life, +you must give me those papers!" and he hissed after the manner of some +stage villains. + +"Oh, quit your fooling and tell us!" demanded Grace. "Then we'll go for +a ride in your boat, and you can stop at the Point and get me some +chocolates, Will." + +"Oh, I can, eh? Awfully kind, I'm sure." + +"Do tell us about it," begged Amy. + +"Ah, at least _you_ are sincere!" exclaimed Will, with a look that made +gentle Amy blush. + +"Go on," urged Roy. "Then we'll get out on the water again. This weather +is too good to miss." + +"It was this way," explained Will. "I told dad I wanted a little longer +vacation before I started in for college, after my experiences in that +turpentine camp, and he agreed that I could have it. I don't know +whether I told you or not, but when I ran away from Uncle Isaac's down +South, I fell in with a Government Secret Service man. I guess he rather +suspected I was up to some game, but he was real decent about it, and +didn't give me away. + +"I happened to do him a favor--helped him trail a certain man he was +looking for, and he was good enough to compliment me on my memory for +faces. He said it was the beginning of a successful detective's career. + +"Well, I had no notion of being a detective, but it made me stop and +think. I _am_ pretty good at remembering faces and voices, you know, +even if I do say it myself." + +"That's right!" chimed in Allen. "I wish I had that faculty. It is the +hardest thing for me to remember the faces and names of those I meet. +But go on, Will." + +"Well, the upshot of it was that this government man said if I ever +wanted a lift he'd be glad to help me. He gave me his card, and, after +all my troubles were over, thanks to your efforts, girls," and he +included them all in his bow, "I decided to go in for Secret Service +work. + +"It wasn't as easy as I had expected, but at last I got the promise of a +chance, and I began studying up, and taking the examinations. I passed +successfully, and received my commission." + +"So that's what you were doing all those days you were away so much?" +asked Grace. + +"That was it, Sis. And now I am a full fledged Secret Service agent, +though I haven't arrested anyone yet." + +"And are you really going to?" asked Betty. + +"That all depends," replied Will. "If I see any law violations I'll have +to." + +"But are you looking for anyone in particular, up here?" asked Amy. "Any +smugglers, pirates, or--or anything like that?" + +"Bless her heart! She shall see a pirate arrested the first chance I +have!" laughed Will. + +"Oh, be serious, can't you?" asked Grace, with just the hint of a snap +in her voice. + +"Beg your pardon, Amy," apologized Will. "You see it's this way. I'm in +the Boston district, and that takes in a good part of the New England +coast. I haven't really been assigned to any particular locality yet. +I'm supposed to keep my eyes open wherever I am, though." + +"Around here?" Mollie wanted to know. + +"Yes, here as well as anywhere else. But I'm on a leave of absence now. +I'm spending a few days cruising with the boys. I'll soon have to go +back to Boston." + +"Well, then busy yourself and buy me those chocolates!" demanded Grace. +"You don't need to act in your official capacity for that." + +"Do you really think there may be pirates or smugglers around here?" +asked Amy, who seemed strangely interested in the matter. + +"Well, there might be. You never can tell," said Will, with a look +around the horizon as though to discover some mysterious and suspicious +vessel in the offing. + +After Will's explanations he had to answer a hail of questions from the +girls. The boys already knew all he could tell them. Then his sister and +her chums wished him all kinds of good luck. + +"And I hope we see you arrest your first smuggler!" exclaimed Mollie, +with a quick gesture of her expressive hands and shoulders. + +"Oh, I don't!" cried Amy, with a nervous look behind her. + +"Well, if we're going to take the girls for a ride let's do it," +suggested Allen. + +"How does the boat run?" asked Betty, as she turned her attention to it. + +"Fine and dandy!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm. + +A little later the merry party of young people were out on the wide, +blue waters of the bay. + +Several gladsome days followed. The boys were welcomed at Edgemere, and, +as the cottage was a large one, Mrs. Nelson insisted on Will and his +chums remaining there, though they said they wanted to camp out, or +sleep aboard the _Pocohontas_. But the quarters there were rather +cramped. + +One day, when the boys were coming back in the boat with the girls, the +engine suddenly stopped while they were still a short distance from the +dock. + +"Hello! What's up? Trouble?" asked Roy. + +"Yes, it's that magneto again," decided Allen. "I think I'd better tie +her up and get a new one. It will be giving us trouble all summer if I +don't." + +And then, as the craft was ingloriously paddled up to the dock, the boys +held a mysterious conversation regarding ground-wires, brushes, platinum +points, spark plugs and batteries. + +"Oh, will the boat have to go to the repair shop?" asked Betty. + +"Will you be sorry?" returned Allen, meaningly. + +"You know I shall. I do so enjoy--the water," she answered with a little +blush and a bright glance. + +"You sha'n't miss anything," he declared. "I'll charter a sailboat while +the _Pocohontas_ is laid up." + +And this he did, arranging with Old Tin-Back for the hire of a catboat +that would hold all the party. Thus the glorious summer days were used +to best advantage, the young people cruising about the bay, fishing and +bathing as suited their fancy. + +"Not going out to-day; are ye?" asked Old Tin-Back, as he came down to +the dock one morning, and found the boys and girls about to start off. + +"We certainly are!" declared Will. "I think something will happen +to-day. I have a feeling in my bones that I may land a smuggler or +two." + +"Oh, Will!" expostulated his sister. "Don't joke. That may be serious." + +"I only hope it _is_ serious," he declared. + +"What's the matter with going out to-day?" asked Allen. + +"Wa'al, it looks like a squall," replied the old lobsterman. "If ye do +go don't go out too far." + +"Oh, I don't want to go!" objected Grace. + +The others laughed Grace out of her fears, and they started off in the +sailboat, the motor craft having been left at the repair dock some +distance up the coast. + +As they swung and dipped over the blue waters of the bay, the signs of +the storm increased, and the girls, becoming more and more nervous, +insisted on the boys keeping close to shore. + +And finally, when they were some distance from Ocean View, but +fortunately near a little sheltering cove, the storm broke with sudden +fury. + +"Down with that sail!" yelled Allen, as the gust struck the boat, +heeling her over so that one rail dipped well under water. + +"Oh, we're going to capsize!" screamed Grace. + +"Keep still!" ordered her brother. + +With frightened eyes the girls clung to one another, huddled together in +the little cockpit cabin, while a big wave coming from the stern seemed +to threaten to swamp them. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE MEN IN THE BOAT + + +"Oh! Oh!" screamed Grace. "We'll be drowned!" + +"Nonsense! Keep quiet!" commanded Will, with the authority only a +brother could have displayed on such an occasion. His stern voice had +the desired effect and Grace ceased clinging to her chums with a grip +that really endangered them. + +"Oh, I'm so sorry I was silly!" she exclaimed contritely, as the big +wave passed harmlessly under the sailboat. Then the craft swung behind a +projecting point of land and they were in calmer waters. Allen had let +the sail come down on the run, and all danger of capsizing was over. The +wind still blew in fitful gusts, however, and the rain, which had been +holding off, came down in a drenching shower. + +"Get out the mackintoshes!" cried Roy, for those garments had been +brought with them at the suggestion of Old Tin-Back. + +Protected now against the downpour, and in calmer waters, the young +people were themselves once more. The jib gave way enough to the craft +for Allen to head it toward a little dock which seemed to be the landing +place of the neighborhood fishermen. + +"What are you going to do?" asked Will. "Stay here until the storm is +over?" + +"Might as well," Allen answered. "And yet--hello! What's that?" he +interrupted himself suddenly, pointing out to the bay. + +"A motor boat broken loose from its mooring," answered Roy. + +"And if it isn't the _Pocohontas_ I miss my guess!" added Amy's brother. + +"That's right!" declared Allen. "John's repair shop is in this cove. He +must have anchored her out, and the storm tore her loose. He evidently +doesn't know it." + +"Well, we know it!" cried Will, "and she'll be on those rocks in a few +minutes more. See! She's drifting right toward them!" + +It needed but a glance to disclose this. The drifting motor boat, under +the influence of wind and waves, was heading straight toward some +half-submerged but sharp rocks that were a danger-point in the little +cove. + +"What's to be done?" demanded Roy. + +"You must save your boat, that's certain!" put in Betty, thus +sustaining her reputation as a Little Captain. + +"We've got to," said Will. "But to take you girls out there again----" + +"Don't you dare do it, in this storm!" broke in Grace, for the wind and +rain had now reached their height. + +"Can't you land us?" asked Betty, taking in the situation at a glance. +"That will be best. Put us on shore and then this boat will be so much +easier to handle. The wind is right, and you can get the _Pocohontas_ +before she goes on the rocks." + +"She's got the idea," declared Allen, admiringly. "We can save our boat, +if we hustle." + +"Then--'hustle'!" cried Betty, with a little blush, as she shook her +head to rid her flashing eyes of raindrops. "Put us ashore at the dock, +and save the _Pocohontas_." + +"But what will you do?" asked Allen. "I don't like to leave you on the +beach alone." + +"We four girls won't be lonesome," declared Mollie. "It isn't the first +time we've roughed it. Besides, there is some sort of a fisherman's +shanty there. We'll go inside, if the storm gets too bad. But I think it +is going to clear." + +Indeed there were indications that the weather at least was going to get +no worse. There was a hasty conference among the boys, who cast anxious +eyes toward their drifting boat. Then the sailing craft was worked up to +the little dock, and the girls sprang out. + +"We'll come back for you," promised Will. + +"If you can't it will be all right," Betty assured him. "We can walk +back along the beach after the storm. It isn't more than a mile or two, +and we haven't done very much walking lately." + +"Well, we'll see what happens," spoke Allen, anxious to get out to the +_Pocohontas_, which was dangerously near the rocks. + +The girls paused on the dock a moment, to watch the boys beating back +out over the bay, and then turned to go up the beach. They had never +been on this part of the coast before. It was lonesome and deserted, +save for one rather shabby hut just above high-water mark. Over beyond +some distant sand dunes, the boys had been told, was the establishment +of the boat-builder, where they had taken their craft to have a new +magneto put in. + +"Shall we go in and ask for shelter?" asked Amy, as they neared the hut. + +"Well, it's raining pretty hard," returned Grace. + +"Oh, don't let's go in!" said Betty, suddenly, as she looked at a +window of the hut. "It's much nicer outside." + +"But it's raining so!" protested Mollie, with a quick look at her chum. + +"I know. But we're neither sugar nor salt, and this isn't the first rain +we've been out in. Besides, I'm sure, in there, it will smell of--fish! +I can't bear to be shut up in a stuffy cabin that smells of fish. I vote +we stay out. See, it is beginning to clear already," and she pointed to +a streak of light in the west. + +"Is that your real reason--a dislike of the smell of--fish?" asked +Mollie, in a low voice, that Betty alone could hear. + +"Not exactly, no," was the reply, equally guarded. "I happened to catch +a glimpse of some faces at the window of that hut, and I did not like +the look of them--they were--ugh! I don't know what to say," and Betty +gave a slight shiver that was not caused entirely by the chilling rain. + +"I saw them, too," spoke Mollie, in louder tones now, for Grace and Amy +had walked on ahead. "And one of them was--a woman's face." + +"Yes, but such a face!" agreed Betty. "It was hard--cruel--oh, I'll +never go in that hut." + +"Nor will I. The rain is stopping, I think." + +"Then let's walk back to Ocean View," proposed Betty. "What do you say, +girls?" she called to Amy and Grace. "Shall we walk back? It's stopping, +and the sand will be firm and hard after the rain." + +"I don't mind," spoke Amy, always willing to be accommodating. + +"Oh, well, I suppose we'll have to, if the boys don't come for us," +assented Grace. + +"They won't be back for some time," declared Betty. "See, they have just +reached the boat, and in time, too, I think. A little later she would +have been on the rocks." + +Allen and his chums had indeed been fortunate in saving the +_Pocohontas_. Through the clearing air the girls watched them preparing +to tow the motor craft back. + +"It will be some time before they can come for us," repeated Betty. "We +might as well go on." + +"But they won't know where we are," objected Grace, who did not +altogether relish the idea of walking. She was wearing shoes with very +high heels. + +"They'll understand," responded Betty. "See, they are looking this way. +I'll give them some sign language they'll understand," and she began +waving her arms, and pointing in the direction of Ocean View, down the +coast. + +"Who in the world will understand that?" demanded Mollie. + +"Allen will," answered Betty. + +"Oh!" exclaimed Mollie with a laugh. "Then this isn't the first time you +have talked with him in sign language." + +"Silly!" protested Betty. "Come on, girls," and she strode off down the +wet sands. The rain had almost stopped. + +"This is better than waiting back in that hut," observed Mollie, walking +beside the Little Captain. + +"I should say so!" exclaimed Betty. "Oh, those horrid faces." + +"Just like smugglers!" declared Mollie. + +"What's that about smugglers?" demanded Grace, quickly, turning around. +She was in advance with Amy. + +"Oh--nothing," spoke Betty, and Grace resumed her talk with her other +chum. + +The girls walked along the beach. Now a turn of the coast hid the boys +from sight, and their work of towing back the drifting motor boat. + +"Oh, it's farther than I thought!" sighed Grace, as the atmosphere +became clearer, and, some distance down the coast they could see the +little village of Ocean View. + +"Oh, it isn't far at all!" declared Betty. "We haven't done enough +walking lately, that's the reason. We'll soon be there." + +As the girls made a turn around some high sand dunes they heard the +staccato puffing of a motor boat. + +"Can that be the boys?" asked Mollie, quickly. + +"Of course not! They are away behind us," declared Betty, "and that +sound came from in front. See, there it is--a motor boat," and she +pointed to one just leaving the shore of a little cove. + +Several men had evidently just leaped into the craft which, because of +the shallow water, had to be shoved some distance out. + +Then a strange thing happened. The men appeared to be surprised at the +sight of the girls--an unexpected sight, it would appear--for some of +them seemed anxious to put back, while others were urgent for keeping on +out into the bay. + +"That's queer!" commented Betty. + +"What?" asked Amy. + +"Those men seem anxious to come back; at least, some of them do, and +others don't," went on Betty. "Look, they seem to be quarreling among +themselves!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE BOX IN THE SAND + + +"Goodness!" cried Grace, shrinking back against Betty. "They are +fighting!" + +"It does look so," responded the Little Captain. "One man seems to be +trying to jump overboard!" + +It did so appear to the outdoor girls. The motor boat containing the +half-dozen rough-looking men was rapidly leaving the shore of the cove, +but one man in it seemed anxious to return to the beach. His companions +had forcibly to restrain him, as he seemed willing to leap into the +water, and swim back. + +Confused shouts and cries came from the men in the boat, as though they +were of several opinions. Finally, however, the majority seemed to gain +their point, and the man who had appeared so excited quieted down. + +But, as the boat gathered headway, this man, sitting in the stern, never +took his eyes from the four girls. He watched them until the craft was +so far out that his features could not be distinguished. + +"Wasn't that odd?" demanded Amy, being the first to speak after the +little episode. + +"It certainly was," agreed Betty. + +"They seemed afraid--yes, actually afraid of us," put in Grace. + +"And there wasn't the least need of it," laughed Mollie. "I wouldn't +have harmed one of those men--oh, for anything!" + +"I guess not!" Amy declared. "I was all ready to run if they headed +their boat back this way." + +"What in the world do you suppose was the matter?" asked Grace, as they +stood looking after the vanishing boat. The boys were no longer in +sight, being hidden from view behind a projecting point of land. + +"Perhaps this is private grounds we are on," suggested Mollie, "and they +didn't like to see us trespassing." + +"It couldn't have been that," Grace remarked. "Everyone walks along the +beach, and I believe no one is allowed to claim any land below high +water mark, so it couldn't have been that." + +"Maybe there are quicksands here!" exclaimed Amy, looking nervously +about. "There are such things, you know. The Goodwin Sands, in England, +are awful. If you once are caught in a quicksand you never get out." + +"Nothing like that around here," asserted Betty. "If there was, you can +depend on it, Daddy never would have hired a cottage." + +"Besides," added Grace, "if there had been danger the men would not have +been in two minds about coming back to warn us. They would surely not +have let us run into danger." + +"No, it couldn't have been that," decided Betty. "But the men were +certainly divided in opinion about coming back here, and they must have +left just before we came in sight. Well, it will never be solved, I +suppose, but I don't know that it need worry us. Though if the boys were +here I think they would make quite a mystery of it." + +"Will would make quite a fuss about it, if he were here, I guess," +laughed Grace. "He'd be sure the men were pirates, or something like +that, show his new badge and want to question them." + +"Then I'm glad he isn't here!" exclaimed Amy, with such warmth that +Grace exclaimed: + +"Oh, Amy! I never knew you cared--so much." + +"I don't! That is--yes, of course I care! That is--oh, I wish you'd let +me alone!" burst out the blushing Amy, whereas Grace teased her all the +more, until Betty put an end to it saying: + +"Well, let's get along. The men don't seem to be coming back, and mamma +may be worried, knowing that we went out when a storm was brewing. Old +Tin-Back is sure to tell her that we went off defying the elements." + +"Isn't he a queer old character?" remarked Mollie. + +"Yes, but I like him," Betty answered. "He says he has never yet given +up hope of finding some treasure washed ashore from a wreck. He's always +looking as he walks along the beach." + +"And that in spite of the fact that, with all his years of looking, he +has found only a pipe," laughed Mollie. "He is very persevering, is Old +Tin-Back." + +"Most fishermen are," spoke Betty. + +"I suppose things _are_ occasionally washed up by the sea," Amy +observed. "Let's look as we walk along the beach." + +Hardly knowing why they did so, the eyes of the outdoor girls roamed the +beach, which, as the tide had just gone out, was strewn with odds and +ends. Nothing of moment, though, it seemed--bits of broken boxes and +barrels, bottles and tin cans, probably the refuse from coasting +vessels. + +"Oh, I'm tired!" suddenly exclaimed Grace. "Let's see if we can't find a +place to sit down." + +"Tired! No wonder, wearing such high-heeled shoes!" objected Betty. "You +are violating one of the ethics of the outdoor girls' organization!" she +went on. "You can't expect to walk in those." + +"I'm not going to try again," confessed Grace. "Oh, I simply must sit +down." + +"The sand is so wet," objected Mollie. + +They managed to find a broken spar, cast up by the waves, and by putting +on it some boards, which they turned over to find the dry side, they +evolved a comfortable seat. + +"Oh, isn't this just lovely!" exclaimed Betty, as she gazed out over the +bay, now glistening beneath the sun, which had come out from behind the +storm clouds. + +"It is perfect," agreed Amy. + +Mollie was idly digging in the sand behind the spar. She used a shell, +and had scooped out quite a hole. Suddenly the shell scraped on +something with a shrill sound. + +"Oh, don't!" begged Grace. "You set my teeth on edge! What is it, +Mollie?" + +Mollie did not answer at once. She was digging in the sand more quickly +now. Again the shell scraped on some metal. + +"Oh, Mollie!" objected Grace again, putting her hands over her ears. +"What is it?" + +"I--I think I've found something," replied Mollie in a low voice. "Look, +girls, it's some sort of box." + +They leaned over her. Her shell had scraped away the wet sand from the +top of a square piece of metal. Mollie tapped it. + +"It--it sounds hollow!" she whispered. + +"Probably a tin can," said Betty. + +"No," spoke Mollie, resolutely. + +"Here, let me help you!" exclaimed Amy. + +She looked about for something with which to dig. Near where Mollie had +uncovered the piece of metal a queerly shaped stick stuck upright in the +sand. Amy pulled it out, with no small effort, and at once began +digging. + +"Oh, it's some sort of a box--an iron box!" cried Mollie, with eager, +shining eyes. "We have really found something." + +Mollie and Amy dug until they had wholly uncovered the object. Then, +with a quick motion, Mollie put her hands under the lower edges, and +with a sudden effort brought up out of the hole in the sand a curious +iron box. + +"It--it really is--something!" she said. + +Instinctively Betty looked out over the bay in the direction taken by +the strange, quarreling men in the motor boat. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +CONJECTURES + + +Mollie Billette set the black iron box down on the log that had formed +the seat for the outdoor girls. A little wind was rapidly drying the +dampness. The wind even dried some of the sand on the box, and scattered +it in a little rattling shower on a bit of paper on the beach. + +The girls did not seem to know what to say. Betty looked back from her +glance across the bay, in the direction of the now unseen boat, in time +to notice Mollie, ever neat, wiping her damp hands on her pocket +handkerchief. Amy was looking at the queerly-carved stick which had +served her as a shovel to dig in the sand. + +"Oh! Oh!" exclaimed Grace. "Isn't it wonderful! It really is a box!" + +"Yes, it's certainly _that_, all right!" added the more practical +Mollie. + +"And if it should contain treasure!" went on Grace, rather at a loss +because her chocolates were all gone. + +"Old Tin-Back should have found this," commented Mollie. + +"Or the boys," spoke Betty. "I wish they were here." + +"The idea!" exploded Mollie. "As if we didn't know what to do as well as +though the boys were here to tell us. That isn't our Little Captain; is +it, girls?" she asked the others. + +"Oh, I only meant about the legal end of it," said Betty, quickly. + +"Oh, I see! She just wants--Allen!" remarked Grace. + +"No, it isn't that at all!" Betty cried, quickly. "But you know there +are certain rules about things found at sea, or near the sea. For +instance, if this is above the high-water mark it might be, the property +of whoever owns the land back there." + +"Well, it's above high-water mark all right," declared Amy. "Though I +think in a heavy blow or at a high tide the water might come up here. +But we can't go by rules now; can we, Betty?" + +"Oh, I suppose not." + +"I'm going to take the box home with us," Mollie declared. "It may have +been washed ashore from some ship, and there may be nothing in it +but----" + +"Tobacco!" exclaimed Grace with a laugh. + +"Tobacco?" questioned the others in a chorus. + +"It looks just like a tobacco box," the chocolate-loving girl went on. +"But perhaps it isn't." + +"Of course it isn't!" declared Mollie. + +"I'm sure it contains treasure," said Amy. "Oh, if it should! Wouldn't +the old lobsterman be surprised?" + +"Well, he wouldn't be the only one to be surprised," spoke Mollie. + +"I think we would ourselves," added Betty, with a laugh. "Now, girls, +let's see what we really have found." + +With a bunch of seaweed Mollie brushed from the box the sand that clung +to it. Then the outdoor girls gathered around the case as it rested on +the log. + +"Look!" exclaimed Grace as the covering of sand was disposed of. "There +are some letters on the box." + +"So there are!" agreed Betty. They leaned forward to look. + +Staring at them from the black top of the box were three white letters. +They were rather scratched and faded, but the girls soon made them out +as follows: + + _B. B. B._ + +"B-B-B," repeated Mollie, as she read them. "I wonder what they stand +for?" + +"Base-ball-band," said Grace, quickly. "At least that's what Will would +say if he were here." + +"I wish some of the boys _were_ here," remarked Betty, and again she +gave a quick glance out across the bay. + +"Why?" Amy wanted to know. + +"Because those men might come back, and----" + +"Do you think those men hid the box here?" asked Grace. + +"That's exactly what I think," replied Betty, quickly. "Wouldn't that be +an explanation of their strange conduct when they saw us?" + +"How do you mean?" asked Amy. + +"I mean I think those men had just hidden this box here in the sand. As +they went away they saw us coming along. They were afraid we would find +the box, or at least some of them were, and wanted to come back to dig +it up again." + +"And do you think that was why they quarreled among themselves?" +demanded Mollie. + +"I think so--yes. Doesn't it seem natural?" Betty asked. + +"Well, of course you can make almost any theory fit when you don't know +the facts," Mollie went on. "But how about the box having been washed up +from the ocean, and buried in the sand naturally? That could have +happened; couldn't it?" + +"Oh, yes," assented Betty. "The box wasn't buried so deep but what it +could have come about in a perfectly natural way. But when you stop to +think how the men acted, and the fact that it was just about here their +boat was, I think my idea is the best." + +"Well, it certainly was from here they pushed off their boat," declared +Grace, walking down toward the edge of the water. "See, there are the +marks of the keel in the sand." + +That was true enough, as all the girls could see. The black box had been +buried in the sand directly back from the point where the men had made +their departure. + +"There's another thing, too," added Betty. "That stick Amy has." + +The other girls looked at it, Amy herself regarding it with rather +curious eyes. + +"It was stuck in the sand near the box," Amy said. "I worked it loose, +pulled it up, and used it as a shovel." + +"Exactly what it might have been intended for," spoke Betty, who let a +little note of exultation creep into her voice. "At least, that was one +of the purposes for which it was intended." + +"And what was the other?" Mollie asked, as she put back a stray lock of +her dark hair, for the wind had blown it about. + +"As a mark," said Betty. + +"A mark!" exclaimed Amy. + +"Yes," went on Betty. "The men who hid the box put the stake in the sand +so they could find their treasure again." + +"Oh, then you are sure it _is_ treasure," Mollie returned. + +"Well, we might as well think that as anything else--until we get the +box open and find it full of--sand!" declared Betty, laughing. + +"Oh, let's open it now!" cried Grace, impulsively. "I'm just dying to +see what's in it. Please let's open it now." + +"Perhaps we have no right," objected Amy. + +"Why, of _course_ we have," insisted Grace, making "big eyes" at Amy. +"We found it. Can't we open it, Betty?" + +But there was a very good reason why the girls could not open the +box--at least then and there. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE CIPHER + + +"Locked!" exclaimed Betty, laconically, when she had tried the cover of +the box. + +"Oh, dear!" came petulantly from Grace. "Isn't that horrid!" + +"Well, I suppose the men have a right to lock up their treasure," coolly +remarked Betty, again vainly trying to raise the cover. + +"You will have it that those men hid the box," said Amy, with a smile. +"Also that it is treasure." + +"I'm getting romantic--like Grace," commented the Little Captain. + +Then, as they found that their efforts to open the box were vain, the +girls looked at it more closely. + +It was a black japanned box of tin, or, rather, light sheet iron, rather +heavier than the usual box made for holding legal papers. It was such a +receptacle as would be described, in England, as a "dispatch box." And +in fact, the box did seem to be of some foreign make. It was not like +the light tin affairs used locally to hold deeds, insurance policies and +the like. + +The cover fitted on tightly. This much was seen at a glance, and so well +did it fit that it needed a second look to make sure which was the +bottom and which the top, for there was no bulge or "shoulder" of the +metal to indicate where the lid rested. + +"It's water-tight, I'm sure," Mollie said, when the box had again been +set upright. They decided that the top was that place where the initials +"B. B. B." showed, half-obliterated, in white paint. + +"Then it might have been washed ashore from some wreck," Amy said. + +"Too heavy to float," was the answer of Mollie, as she again lifted it. + +"But it could work up in a heavy wind or sea; that is, if it didn't go +down too far from shore," Grace remarked. "But can't we get it open some +way?" + +"We might break it," Mollie observed. "Otherwise, I don't see how we +can. It is a complicated lock, if I am any judge," and she looked at the +front of the box. "Let me take that stake, Amy." + +"Oh, no! Don't break it open!" expostulated Betty. "We must try and see +if we can't slip the lock, after we get it home. Papa has a lot of odd +keys." + +"But I don't see any lock!" exclaimed Grace. + +"There it is," and Betty pushed to one side a round disk of metal that +fitted over the keyhole. + +Whether this was to keep out sand or water, the girls could not +determine. It might even have been designed to hide the keyhole, but +former use, or the battering which the box had received, had loosened +and disclosed the metal slide, and Betty's quick eyes had discerned the +object of it. + +"It would take a peculiar key to open that," decided Mollie. "Mamma has +a historic French jewel case home, and it has a lock something like +that." + +"Oh, suppose this contains--jewels!" cried Grace. "Wouldn't it be +just--" + +"Nonsense!" broke in Betty. "If the box contains anything at all it is +probably papers of no value. My own opinion is that there's nothing in +it, for it's too light. However, we'll take it home, and see what the +boys say." + +"You seem to have a great deal of faith in their opinion," laughed +Mollie. "Ah, my dear!" and she put a finger on Betty's blushing cheek. +"Methinks it is the opinion of _one_ certain boy you want." + +"Silly!" murmured Betty. + +"Oh, don't mind us. A legal opinion would be most excellent to have," +mocked Grace. "Now who is eating the chocolates?" she wanted to know. + +Betty did not answer. She bent over the black box, with its indefinable +air of mystery, and the three queer letters on the top. She was, +seemingly, trying to find a way to open it. + +Finally she straightened up, looked once more across the bay and said: + +"Well, let's take it to Edgemere." + +"And let's hurry, too!" urged Amy. + +"Hurry? Why?" asked Grace. "There's no more danger from the storm." + +"No, but those men might come back, and, finding their treasure +gone--oh, well, let's hurry," she finished. + +"Don't make me nervous," begged Grace, with a glance over her shoulder. +"Come along, Betty. I'm just dying to see what is in it. But I'm not so +sure those men in the boat left it, and if they demand it don't you give +it up to them." + +"Oh, I should say not!" cried Mollie, bristling a bit. "_We_ found the +box. They'll have to prove ownership." + +Betty tucked the box under her arm. No one disputed her right to carry +it, for the other girls deferred to the Little Captain in matters of +this sort. + +"Won't the boys be surprised when they see it!" commented Amy. + +"But listen!" cautioned Betty. "We mustn't pretend that we think there +is anything in it. If we do, and there isn't, they'd have the laugh on +us." + +"Oh, of course," assented Grace. "We'll just say we found the box on the +beach, and couldn't open it. The boys will be anxious enough to do +that." + +And, sure enough, when the girls reached the cottage, the boys being not +far behind them, the latter were even more eager than Betty and her +chums to have a look inside the mysterious iron case. + +"Pry the cover off!" cried Will, when he and the others had briefly +related their experience in saving their motor boat and sailing back in +the other craft, while the girls gave their story bit by bit, from the +sighting of the men in the boat, to the finding of the box. Only Betty +said nothing about the faces at the window of the fisherman's hut. + +"Pry the cover off!" cried Will. "An axe is the best thing to use!" + +"Indeed not!" exclaimed Betty. "Let's see if we can't open it with a +key. You have some odd ones; haven't you, Daddy?" + +"Yes," assented Mr. Nelson, who was down at the shore for the week-end. +"Betty, get them. You'll find them in that desk in the living room." + +Betty's father had looked at the box on all sides, had shaken it, and +had examined the lock through a reading glass. + +"It sure is a find, all right!" declared Roy Anderson. "I wish I had +been with you." + +"Oh, if it's a treasure-trove, we'll all share, as they did in Treasure +Island," declared Betty, who was almost a boy in her liking for +adventure stories. + +"Ahem!" exclaimed Allen Washburn, with an elaborate assumption of +dignity. "Treasure, you know, is subject to the claim of the +commonwealth, if the lawful heirs cannot be located. I must look up the +law on that subject." + +"More likely it's the spoil of pirates, and fair booty for whoever finds +it!" declared Will. "I think I'm the proper one to take charge of this, +representing as I do the United States Government, which takes +precedence over any State commonwealth." + +"Go on!" laughed Henry Blackford. "You'll be saying next that it's +smugglers' booty, and you'll be asking us to pay a duty on it. Let's +open the box and see what it is--maybe nothing but seaweed. I've heard +of jokes being played before," and he looked at the girls meaningly. + +"Oh, _we_ didn't hide it and then find it again," Amy assured him, so +earnestly that the others laughed. + +"Well, here goes for a try, anyhow," said Mr. Nelson. + +With a bunch of assorted keys he tried one after another in the strange +lock. Some keys would not even enter the aperture, while others turned +uselessly around in it. + +Betty's father used all he had without success, and then the boys were +called on. They were not able to produce the Sesame to the japanned box, +and Will's plan of using an axe was finding more favor when Allen +produced a small key of peculiar make. + +"Try this," he said. "It locks the switch on the motor boat, but it may +fit. It looks as though it would." + +And, to the surprise of them all, it did. As though it had been made for +that lock, the little switch key slipped in. There was a click, a +grinding sound, as the cover slipped on the sand-encrusted hinges, and +the lid went back. + +"Stung!" cried Roy, as nothing was seen but a slip of paper within the +black interior. + +Mr. Nelson lifted it out. + +"I can't make anything of this," he said. "It's some sort of a note, +written in cipher, I should judge. It is signed 'B. B. B.'" + +"The same letters that are on top of the box," said Allen. + +"Was there ever a pirate who had those initials?" asked Mollie, and the +others laughed. "Well, there might have been," she went on. "I don't +think it's so funny." + +"Of course it isn't, dear," declared Betty. "I guess we're all a bit +nervous. Is that all there is, Daddy?" + +"Everything, my dear. The box is empty save for this bit of paper that +doesn't make any sense." + +"We must translate that at once, sir," said Allen. "If it is in cipher +that's all the more evidence that it means something. I might have a try +at that secret message, or whatever it is." + +"Well, you're welcome to have a go at it," assented Mr. Nelson. "It may +all be a joke, so don't take it too seriously." + +"I'll not," agreed Allen. + +He took the paper from Mr. Nelson's hand. The others looked over his +shoulder at it. + +"Oh, what do you suppose it means?" marveled Grace. "Do hurry and +translate it, Allen." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE FALSE BOTTOM + + +For a moment the queer box itself was forgotten in the wonderment over +the cipher. That it would prove a solution to the mystery, if such there +was, and that it was not a joke, was believed by all. Even Allen, calm +as he usually was, displayed some excitement. The girls themselves could +not conceal their eagerness. + +"How are you going to make sense out of that?" asked Roy, who did not +like to spend much time over anything. "It's worse than Greek." + +"Most ciphers are," agreed Allen. "The only way to translate it is to go +at it with some sort of system. I'll need plenty of paper, and some +pencils." + +"I'll tell you what to do," said Mr. Nelson. "Make several copies of the +cipher, and we can all work on it at once. It will be a sort of game." + +And a fascinating game it proved. The possibility that the queer paper +in the iron box might contain directions for finding some hidden +treasure made it all the more alluring. + +"There are any number of ciphers," Allen explained, when several copies +had been made of the original. "The simplest is to change the letters of +the alphabet about, using Z for A, and so on. Another simple one is to +make figures stand for letters, as No. 1 is A, and so on. But those are +so simple that only a schoolboy would use them." + +"What are same of the more difficult ciphers?" asked Betty. + +"Well, there are so many I don't know that I could explain them all. But +the most simple of the difficult ones is the taking of a number of +arbitrary signs or symbols to represent the letters of the alphabet. +That is what was done in Poe's 'Gold Bug,' you remember. Unless the +person has a copy of the list of signs and symbols it is very difficult +to decipher that cipher, or decode it, as they say in government +circles." + +"Ahem!" exclaimed Will, with an important air, as all eyes were turned +on him. "I ought to know something about that, but you see they haven't +trusted me with the code book yet. Now then, Allen, how are we to go +about this Chinese puzzle?" + +"If I had that story of Poe's here, it would be rather easier," Allen +said. "As it is, we shall have to do a little preliminary work. To start +off with we will take the letter E." + +"Why E?" asked Roy. + +"Because of all the letters in the ordinary use of English, that letter +most frequently occurs," Allen answered. "In other words, if you take a +written, or printed, page, and count up the letters, you will find that +E is used most frequently." + +"What is the next one?" asked Mollie. "Oh, isn't this fascinating, +girls!" + +"It will be more fascinating to discover the secret," Betty said. + +"I don't know what letter is next in importance, or, rather frequency," +Allen answered. "But we will each take a book and by counting the +letters on a page we can find out." + +"Some work!" groaned Roy. But they began it. Even Mr. and Mrs. Nelson +were interested enough in the novel game to attempt it. + +It took some little time, but at last Betty and Allen, who were working +together, announced that they found A to be the next most predominating +letter after E. And the others' search agreed with this. Then in order +came o, i, d, h, n, and so on. + +But they did not do that in one day, or even two, for they found it +rather tiring to the eyes. So that it was not until three days after +the finding of the box that Allen was ready with the ground-work of his +cipher translation. + +In the meanwhile the motor boat had been repaired and was ready for +service. The weather had cleared, and in the intervals of working over +the mysterious paper in the box the boys, escorted by the girls, went to +the place where it had been found. The hole in the sand was just as they +had left it. + +"The men haven't come back to discover their loss," said Betty. + +"Or, if they have, they are leaving the ground undisturbed with a view +to getting a clue to the one who took the box," Allen said, with a look +at Betty. + +The next day a real attempt was made to decipher the code. As Allen had +said, it was made up of several letters, numbers and arbitrary signs, +some of them resembling Chinese characters in form. + +"The thing to do," said Allen, "is to pick out the letter, number or +sign that occurs most frequently. In other words, the predominating one. +And that will be E, for E is the predominating letter in any +communication. Now we'll begin." + +They all had great hopes, but, alas! they were doomed to disappointment. +For either Allen's system was wrong, or else the cipher did not follow +the plan of any of the well known ones. They succeeded in deciphering +it, after a fashion, but the result was a meaningless jumble of words +that told them nothing. The word "treasure" did not even occur; that is, +according to the translation made by Allen. + +"Well, I give up," he said, with a sigh of disappointment. "I sure +thought I could make something of it, but I can't." + +"Maybe Will could send it to some of his Secret Service friends," +suggested Grace. + +"Yes, I could do that," her brother assented. "Let's let the government +experts take a crack at it, Allen." + +"I'm willing," assented the young lawyer. + +Betty was in a corner of the big sitting room, the bay window of which +gave a beautiful view of the ocean. She had the queer box in her lap, +and was turning it from side to side, now and then holding it to her ear +and shaking it. + +"What are you doing, Betty Nelson?" asked Grace, coming in from a walk +to town. + +"I was just listening to see if there was any hidden mechanism in this +box," answered the Little Captain. "I wonder if there's a ruler anywhere +about?" she went on. + +She found a foot ruler, and with that began measuring inside and +outside the box, jotting down some figures on a piece of paper. + +"What's this--a new way to work out the cipher I couldn't solve?" asked +Allen, coming in. + +"Don't talk to me for a minute, please," said Betty, puckering up her +forehead. + +She seemed to be adding and subtracting, and then she suddenly cried: + +"I thought so! I thought so! It is the only way to account for the +thickness of it." + +"The thickness of what?" asked Allen. + +"The bottom of that box!" went on Betty. "It has a false bottom. I'm +sure of it. Look here! It is seven inches deep on the outside, and only +five inches deep inside. Where are those two missing inches except in a +false bottom?" + +In her excitement Betty tapped on the inside of the bottom of the box +with the ruler, and then a strange thing happened. + +There was a clicking, springing sound, and the bottom of the iron box +seemed to rise up in two parts, like the twin doors of a sidewalk +elevator hatchway. The false bottom had been found, and as it swung up +out of the way there was disclosed an opening in which lay a package +wrapped in white tissue paper. + +"Oh! Oh!" cried Betty, staring at the box "I--I've found it--the +treasure!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE DIAMOND TREASURE + + +For a moment the others clustered around Betty like bees in a swarm, +saying not a word. The girls could only gasp their astonishment as they +looked over the Little Captain's shoulder, as she sat there, holding the +black box, the false bottom of which had so unexpectedly opened before +their eyes. + +The boys were a little more demonstrative. + +"How in the world did you do it, Bet?" asked Will. + +"Did you know there was some trick about the box?" demanded Roy. + +"She's been holding this back," declared Henry, nudging his sister Amy. + +"And to think of all the time we wasted on that cipher!" observed Allen, +reproachfully. + +This seemed to galvanize Betty into speech. + +"I didn't know a thing about it!" she declared, earnestly. "I just +discovered it by accident. Of course when I found there was a +difference in depth between the inside and the outside of the box I +began to suspect something. But I didn't dream of--this!" + +She motioned to the white package in the secret compartment--a package +she had not, as yet, touched. + +"But how in the world did you come to discover it, Betty dear?" asked +Mollie, with wonder-distended eyes. + +"It seemed to open itself," the Little Captain replied. "I just dropped +the end of the ruler in the box, and it sprang open." + +"You must have touched the secret catch, or spring," was Allen's +opinion. + +"Let's have a look!" proposed Will. "I always did want to see how one of +those hidden mysteries worked. Pass it over, Betty!" + +"Indeed, don't you do it!" cried Mollie. "Let's see, first, what is in +that package, Betty. You said it was a treasure; didn't you?" + +"Well, that's what I said," admitted Betty. "But it will probably be +some more meaningless cipher." + +"Oh, do open it!" begged Grace. "I'm all on pins and needles----" + +"Thinking it may be--chocolates!" teased her brother. + +She aimed a futile blow at him, which he did not even dodge. + +Betty reached in and lifted the white tissue-paper package from its +hiding place. It almost completely filled the space. There was a +rustling sound, showing that the paper had acquired no dampness by being +buried under the sand in the box. + +"Put it on the table," suggested Allen, removing the box from Betty's +lap. She turned to the table, near which she had been sitting, when her +experiment resulted so unexpectedly. On the soft cloth she laid the +paper packet. + +"Now don't breathe!" cautioned Mollie, "or the spell will be broken." + +No one answered her. They were all too intent on what would be disclosed +when those paper folds should be turned back. + +"It looks just like--just like--pshaw! I know I've seen packages just +like that before, somewhere," said Will. "But I can't, for the life of +me, think where it was." + +"Was it in a jeweler's window?" asked Amy, in a low voice, from where +she stood beside him. + +"That's it, little girl! You've struck it!" Will cried, and impulsively +he held out his hand, which Amy clasped, blushing the while. + +"What's that talk about a jeweler's?" asked Allen. + +But no one answered him. + +For, at that moment Betty had folded back the white paper, and there to +the gaze of all, flashing in the sun which glinted in through an open +window, lay a mass of sparkling stones. Thousands of points of light +seemed to reflect from them. They seemed to be a multitude of dewdrops +shaken from the depths of some big rose, and dropped into the midst of a +rainbow. + +"Oh!" cried Betty, shrinking back. "Oh!" She could say no more. + +"Look!" whispered Grace, and her voice was hoarse. + +"Well, I'll be jiggered!" gasped Will. + +"Diamonds!" cried Allen. "Betty, you've discovered a fortune in +diamonds!" + +"Diamonds?" ejaculated Amy, and her voice was a questioning one. + +Then there came a silence while they all looked at the flashing heap of +stones--there really was a little heap of them. + +"Can they really be diamonds?" asked Betty, finding her voice at last. + +Allen reached over her shoulder and picked up one of the larger stones. +He held it to the light, touched it to the tip of his tongue, rubbed it +with his fingers and laid it back. He did the same thing with two +others. + +"Well?" asked Will, at length. "What's the verdict?" + +"I'm no expert, of course," Allen said, slowly, and he seemed to have +difficulty in breathing, "but I really think they are diamonds." + +"Diamonds? All those?" cried Mollie. "Why, they must be +worth--millions!" + +They all laughed at that. It seemed a relief from the strain, and to +break the spell that hung over them all. + +"Hardly millions," spoke Allen, "but if they are really diamonds they +will run well up into the thousands." + +"But are they really diamonds?" asked Betty. + +"As I said, I'm no expert," Allen repeated, "but a jeweler once told me +several ways of testing diamonds, and these answer to all those tests. +Of course it wouldn't be safe to take my word. We should have a jeweler +look at these right away." + +"I knew I had seen paper like that before," Will said. "It's just the +kind you see loose diamonds displayed in around holiday times in +jewelers' windows." + +"That doesn't make these diamonds, just because they are in the proper +kind of paper," scoffed Roy. "I think they're only moonstones." + +"Moonstones aren't that color at all," declared Henry. "They are sort of +a smoky shade." + +"I guess Roy means rhinestones," said Amy, with a smile. + +"That's it," he agreed. "They're only fakes. Who would leave a lot of +diamonds like that in a box in the sand?" + +"No one would leave them there purposely, to lose them," said Allen. +"But I think we've stumbled on a bigger mystery here than we dreamed of. +I am sure these are diamonds!" + +"I--I'm afraid to hope so," said Betty, with a little laugh. + +"Well, it's easy to tell," Allen said. "There's a jeweler in town. He +probably doesn't handle many diamonds, but he ought to be able to tell a +real one from a false. Let's take one of the smaller stones and ask him +what he thinks." + +"Oh, yes, let's find out--and as soon as we can!" cried Grace. "Isn't it +just--delicious!" + +"Delicious!" scoffed Will. "You'd think she was speaking +of--chocolates!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +SEEKING CLUES + + +The first shock of the discovery over (and it was a shock to them all, +boys included), the young folks began to examine the stones more calmly. +They spoke of them as diamonds, and hoped they would prove to be stones +of value, and not mere imitations. + +There were several of fairly large size, and others much smaller; some, +according to Allen, of only a sixteenth-karat in weight. + +"But stones of even that small size may be very valuable if they are +pure and well cut," he said. + +"And what would be the value of the largest ones?" asked Betty, for +there were one or two stones that Will was sure were three or four +karats in size. + +"I'd be afraid to guess," Allen said. "We'd better have them valued." + +The girls handled the stones, holding them on their fingers and trying +to imagine how they would look set in rings. + +"Engagement rings?" asked Grace of Betty, who had suggested that. + +"Silly! I didn't say anything of the kind!" + +"Well, it isn't what you say, it's what you mean." + +It did not seem they could look at the stones enough. Every specimen was +examined again and again, held up to the light, and turned this way and +that in the sun so that the sparkle might be increased. + +"Well, I suppose we might as well put them away," said Betty, with a +sigh, after a while. "It's no use wishing----" + +"Wishing what?" demanded Mollie, quickly. + +"That they were ours." + +"Ours! I don't see why they aren't!" exclaimed Grace, quickly. "Of +course Mollie and Amy dug them up, but----" + +"Oh, don't hesitate on my account!" Mollie said, quickly. "If we share +at all we share alike, of course." + +"That's sweet of you, Billy," returned Betty. "But I don't see how we +can keep them. The diamonds, if such they are, must belong----" + +"Yes, whom do they belong to?" demanded Mollie. "If you mean the men we +saw in the boat, I should say they didn't have any more right to them +than we have. They were pirates if ever I saw any." + +"Well, you never saw any pirates," remarked Betty, calmly. "But of +course the men in the boat may have hidden the diamonds there." + +"Do you think they knew they were in the box?" asked Amy. + +"Well, whoever hid the box must have known it contained something of +value," Betty declared. "They would hardly hide an empty box, and if +they had found it locked they would have opened it to make sure there +was nothing of value in it. Of course those men may only have been +acting for others." + +"But what are we to do?" asked Amy. + +"We must try to find out to whom these diamonds belong," Betty said. +"We'll have to watch the advertisements in the paper, and if we see none +we'll advertise for ourselves. That's the law, I believe," and she +looked at Allen. + +"Yes, the finder of property must make all reasonable efforts to locate +the owner," he said, "though of course he could claim compensation for +such effort. I think the papers are our best chance for finding clues." + +"Has there been a big diamond robbery lately?" asked Mollie. + +"What has that to do with it?" Will wanted to know. + +"Because I think these diamonds are the proceeds of some robbery," went +on the girl. "As you say, the stones are wrapped in a paper just as +though they had come from a jewelry store. It might be that those men +broke into a store, took the diamonds and hid them in this secret part +of the box, which one of them owned. They are probably from some big +robbery in New York, or Boston, seeing we're nearer Boston than we are +New York, up here." + +"I don't remember any such robbery lately," Roy said, and he was a +faithful reader of the newspapers. "But of course we've been pretty busy +lately. I'll get some back numbers of the papers." + +"Ha! What's going on now?" asked the voice of Mr. Nelson. He had come in +from the station, having run up to Boston on business. + +"Oh, Daddy!" cried Betty. "Such news! You'll never guess!" + +"You've solved the cipher!" he hazarded. + +"No. We didn't need to. We solved the mystery of the box, and look----" + +She spread the sparkling stones out before him. + +"Whew!" he whistled. "I should say that _was_ news. Where did you get +those?" + +"In a hidden compartment of the black box. I stumbled on the secret +spring by accident when I was measuring it. Are they diamonds, Father?" + +Anxiously the young people hung on Mr. Nelson's answer. + +He laid aside the packages he had brought from Boston, and turned for a +moment to greet his wife, who had come into the room. She had been told +of the find as soon as it was discovered, and had been properly +astonished. + +"It takes the young folks to do things nowadays," he said, with a smile. + +"Doesn't it?" she responded. + +"But are they diamonds? That's what we want to know!" chanted Betty, her +arms around her father's shoulders. + +Mr. Nelson tested the stones much as Allen had done, but he went +farther. From his pocket he produced a small but powerful magnifying +glass. It was one he used, sometimes, in looking at samples of carpet at +his office. He put one of the larger stones under the glass. + +The young people hardly breathed while the test was going on. But the +result was not announced at once, for Mr. Nelson took several of the +sparkling stones, and subjected them to the scrutiny under the +microscope. + +"Well," he announced finally, "I should say they are diamonds, and +pretty fine diamonds, too!" + +The girls gave little squeals of delight. + +"You were right, old man," spoke Henry to Allen, with a nod. + +"Well, I wasn't sure, of course" began the young law student "but----" + +"Of course I didn't look at all the stones," broke in Mr. Nelson, and +the talk was instantly hushed to listen to him, "but I picked several +out at random, and made sure of them. And it is fair to assume in a +packet of stones like this that, if one is a diamond, the others are +also." + +"And how much are they worth?" asked Betty. She was not mercenary, but +it did seem the most natural thing to ask. + +"Well, it's hard to tell," her father replied. "At a rough guess I +should say--oh, put it at fifty thousand dollars." + +"Oh!" cried Mollie. "To think of it!" + +"Catch me! I'm going to faint!" mocked Roy, leaning up against Will. + +"Do you really think they are as valuable as that?" asked Amy, in a +gentle voice. + +"She helped find them, and she wants to reckon her share," said Mollie, +who did not always make the most appropriate remarks. + +"Nothing of the sort!" exclaimed Betty. "It's just the wonder of it +all." + +"I think fifty thousand dollars would be pretty close to the mark," said +Mr. Nelson. "I once had to serve on a committee to value the contents of +a jewelry store for an estate. I didn't know much about precious stones, +but the others gave me some points, and I remember them. Of course I may +be several thousands out of the way, but----" + +"Oh, fifty thousand dollars is a nice enough sum--to dream about," Betty +said, with a gurgling laugh. "It will do very well, Daddy dear." + +"But isn't it the most wonderful thing, that we should find all those +diamonds!" gasped Mollie. + +"Who could have hidden them?" wondered Amy. + +"That's what we've got to find out," put in Allen. "I suggested the +newspapers," he went on to Mr. Nelson. + +"And a good idea," that gentleman said. + +"Oh, Betty. Let's look at the box, and see how the wonderful false +bottom fitted in," proposed Mollie. "I think it was the most perfectly +gorgeous thing how you happened to discover it." + +"And that's just how it was--a happening," the Little Captain remarked. +"Oh, but if those men in the boat should discover that we have those +diamonds, and come for them," and Betty glanced nervously over her +shoulder. + +"Ha! Let them deal with _me_!" exclaimed Will, as he displayed his +Secret Service badge. "I'll attend to the--pirates!" + +"I thought your specialty was--smugglers," voiced Allen, with a chuckle. + +"Smugglers or pirates, it is all one to me!" Will declaimed, strutting +about. + +"Oh, but----" began Betty. + +"Well, what?" Will asked. "Think I'm afraid?" + +"No--oh, no. I was thinking of something else." + +And to Betty came a vision of those glowering faces in the window of the +fisherman's hut on the beach. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A NIGHT ALARM + + +The diamonds were wrapped again in their protective covering of tissue +paper. The girls could hardly take their eyes off them as Mr. Nelson put +them in his pocketbook. + +"Oh, it doesn't seem--real," sighed Betty, with a long breath. + +"No, it _is_ like some fairy story," agreed Mollie. "And to think the +box has been in the house two or three days, and we never knew what a +treasure it contained." + +"Because of that secret compartment," suggested Amy. "Wasn't it just +wonderful?" + +That same false bottom of the tin box was interesting the boys more, +just then, than were the diamonds themselves. Will, Allen, Roy and Henry +gathered around the queer jewel casket. + +"There, it's shut!" exclaimed Will, as a click proclaimed that he had +pushed the two folding leaves of sheet iron back into place. + +"You'd never know but that that was the real bottom," said Roy. + +"Let's see if we can open it again," proposed Allen. + +The boys tried, pushing here and there. But the bottom did not fly up as +it had done for Betty. + +"Say, what magical charm, or 'Open Sesame,' did you use on this?" asked +Allen, after vainly trying. "We can't make it work, Bet." + +"I don't know," she answered. "I just simply jabbed it with the ruler, +that's all." + +"Well, then, please 'jab' again," pleaded Will. + +Obligingly Betty took the piece of wood, and began poking about in the +bottom of the tin box. For some time she was as unsuccessful as the boys +had been. + +"I don't believe I can do it again," she said, puckering her forehead in +an attempt to remember. "Let's see, I sat _this_ way, and I held it +_that_ way." + +"Did you have your fingers crossed?" asked Roy, laughing. + +"What had that to do with it?" demanded Betty. But before Roy could +answer she uttered a cry, for, as she was moving the ruler about on the +bottom of the box, there was that sudden click and spring again, and the +false bottom sprang out of the way, disclosing the place where the +diamonds had been. + +"How did you do it Betty?" asked Allen, and then it was seen that the +ruler had pressed on a tiny plate in the corner of the box, a plate so +well hidden that only the most careful scrutiny revealed it. + +Once it was seen, however, the trick was easy to work. The cover was +snapped into place again, and as soon as the ruler, or for that matter, +the tip of one's finger, pressed on the little plate, the hiding place +was disclosed. + +The boys and girls "played" the trick over and over again, until it was +an easy matter to do it. + +"This is more fun than the cipher," said Allen, taking a copy of it from +his pocket. + +"Going to have another go at it?" asked Will. + +"Yes. It might be a clue to the owner of the diamonds." + +"That's so," agreed the other. "I would like to know to whom they +belong." + +"I suppose diamonds are smuggled once in a while; aren't they?" asked +Allen. + +"Indeed they are," Will answered. "That's what Uncle Sam has to guard +against more than anything else. They are so easy to hide, and it +doesn't take many of them to represent a whole lot of money. But then +the government has the system down pretty fine, and it isn't often that +anything gets away. You see as soon as any purchase of stones on the +other side is made, word is sent to the officials here--that is, any +purchase of any large amount, such as this." + +"Then you don't think those diamonds were smuggled?" asked Allen. + +"Not for a minute!" declared Will. "They're the proceeds of some +robbery, all right. I'm sure of that. Smugglers don't work the game that +way--bury the stuff in the sand. It's a robbery!" + +"Well, perhaps you're right," assented Allen, as he bent over the +cipher. + +"I'll have another go at that with you," said Will, as he looked over +his copy. + +But the further efforts of the boys, and the girls, too, to decipher the +code, were unavailing. The queer paper held fast to its mystery, if +indeed mystery it concealed. It did not give it up as had the box with +the secret bottom. + +The day when the diamonds were discovered was an exciting one, and the +excitement had not calmed down when evening came. Mr. Nelson had taken +charge of the precious stones, and it had been decided not to say +anything about them, even to the servants in the house. + +"And I don't believe I'd take one to the village jeweler," was the +opinion of Betty's father. "As a matter of fact, I don't believe he +would be any better judge of the stones than I am, and he certainly +would talk about them." + +"That's right," Mollie agreed. "The folks here want to know what you had +for breakfast and what you're going to eat for luncheon and dinner. I +suppose they can't help it." + +"No, the natives haven't much to do," affirmed Betty, "except to talk +about the summer cottagers. But we'll keep quiet about the diamonds, at +least down here." + +"If the natives only knew what we know!" exclaimed Grace. "Think of +having dug up buried treasure from the sand!" + +"Poor Old Tin-Back would be heartbroken if he ever heard of it," said +Amy, gently. "All his life he has dreamed of finding treasure, or +ambergris or something, and here we come along and take it right from +under his eyes." + +"Poor old man," sighed Betty. "He is a dear, and so honest. He brought +some crabs to-day, hard ones, for the shedders aren't around yet. And he +was so careful to have every one alive. He held them up for me to see +them wiggle." + +"I can't bear them!" exclaimed Grace, making a wry face. + +"You mean uncooked," observed Mollie. "I notice you take your share +when the salad is passed." + +"Oh, well, that's different," Grace returned. + +"What are you going to do with the diamonds?" asked Betty of her father, +when they were gathered around the sitting room table, after supper. + +"I haven't fully decided," he said. "I want to make some inquiries in +Boston, first, as to whether or not there has been a robbery." + +"That's what I'll do, too," said Will. + +"When are you going to Boston?" asked his sister. "First I heard about +that." + +"I'm going up in the morning," her brother answered. "I received word to +report at the office. There's something that needs my attention. Ahem! +Uncle Sam can't get along without me, it seems." + +"Nothing like patting yourself on the back," Grace said. + +"Just for that you sha'n't have any of--these!" and Will drew from his +pocket a box that unmistakably held candy. + +"Oh, Will. I didn't mean it!" Grace cried. "Of course you're of value to +the government. What are they--those new bitter-sweets?" + +"That's for you to ask, and Amy to know," said Will, as he passed Amy +the confections. + +"Oh, thank you!" she said, blushing furiously. + +"Amy Blackford. What I know about you!" mocked Mollie. + +"Oh, I'm going to share them, of course." + +"Oh, of course!" chanted Grace. "How nice." + +"Well, it will keep her still for a while, at least," sighed Will. + +"Whom do you mean?" demanded Mollie, catching him by the ear. + +"Ouch! Let go! I meant my sister--of course. A fellow wouldn't dare talk +that way about anyone but his sister," confessed Will. + +Merrily they discussed the finding of the diamonds, and what disposition +might be made of them. The strange actions of the men in the boat, too, +came in for a share of attention. The girls were quite sure the men had +hidden the box in the sand, though whether or not they knew of the +valuable contents was a question. + +"Well, they'll look in vain for it now," declared Betty. "We have it," +and she glanced at the now empty receptacle. + +"Better put it away," suggested her father. "If the servants see it they +may ask awkward questions." + +"I'll keep it in my room," said Betty. + +"And I'll have another go at this cipher to-morrow," Allen said. "I +have a new idea for solving it." + +"I thought you were going to take us girls out in the boat to-morrow," +objected Mollie. + +"So I am. But I can be working on this between times." + +"Sorry I can't be with you," Will said. + +"Then you are really going to run up to Boston?" asked Mr. Nelson. + +"Yes, sir, I have to go, if I want to keep this new position." + +"Well, I'd advise you to do so, then. Go up with me on the express in +the morning." + +"Thank you, I will." + +"And if you hear anything about the diamonds, don't wait to come back +and tell us, write--no, telegraph!" urged Betty. + +"It wouldn't be wise to wire," her father objected. "There is no great +rush. I will make some inquiries myself." + +"And where will you leave the diamonds, meanwhile?" + +"Down here, of course. I'm not going to carry them around with me--too +valuable," and Mr. Nelson patted his pocket. + +"I'll take the box to my room, and lock it in my trunk," Betty said. + +The evening wore on. It was one of beautiful moonlight, and the party +of young people went out on the beach to have a marshmallow roast over a +drift-wood fire. + +"The sea sparkles--just like diamonds," said Mollie, as they turned to +go back to the cottage, when the little frolic had ended. + +"Hush!" cautioned Betty. "Some one might hear you," and she looked out +over the bay as though she might catch a glimpse of the rough men in the +boat. + +"You have diamonds on the brain," chided Grace. + +The cottage became quiet. Only dim night lights burned. Betty had taken +to her room the queer box, which had given up part of its secret. Her +father had the diamonds with him. + +It was Grace who gave the alarm. Awakening at she knew not what hour, +and feeling the need of a drink of water, she donned a dressing gown and +found her slippers. As she went through the hall to the bathroom, she +saw a dark figure, unmistakably that of a man, gliding down the +corridor. Under his arm was the black box, and in one hand was held a +tissue paper packet. + +"The diamonds!" screamed Grace, her voice shrilling out in the night. +"Burglars are after the diamonds!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +ON THE BEACH + + +The whole house was roused in an instant. Lights gleamed in various +rooms, and from the quarter where the maids slept came shrill screams +that matched those of Grace herself. Hoarse shouts came from the rooms +of the boys. + +But the affair had a most unexpected ending. For the man at whose back +Grace was gazing horror-stricken, turned at her sudden shout, and his +face betrayed almost as much astonishment, not to say fear, as the +countenance of the girl showed. + +And then Grace noticed that the man was attired in a bath robe, the +pattern of which was strangely familiar to her. She noticed this even +before she looked at his face recognizingly, and beheld her host, Mr. +Nelson. + +"Oh! Oh!" gasped Grace, weakly, and she had to lean against the wall for +support, for she was trembling. + +"What--what's the matter?" asked Betty's father. "Are you ill, Grace?" + +"No, but I--I thought you--oh, I thought----" + +Out into the hall poured the others of Edgemere Cottage, attired in a +nondescript collection of garments hastily donned. Will, in his bath +robe, had his collar and tie in his hand, though it is doubtful if he +wore an article of dress to which it could be attached. From the +servants' rooms came frantic demands to know if the house were on fire. + +"No, it's all right!" called Mr. Nelson. "Go back to bed, all of you!" + +"But what's it all about?" asked Betty. "What is the matter?" + +"Oh, I guess it's my fault," Grace said. "I got up to get a drink, and I +saw your father going down the hall, with the box and the package of +diamonds, and I thought--I thought he was a----" + +"Burglar! Is that what you thought me?" demanded Mr. Nelson, as a smile +crept over his face. + +"Ye--yes," faltered Grace. "I know it was silly of me--dreadfully silly, +but I--I----" + +"It's all right, my dear. I don't blame you a bit!" comforted Betty, her +arms around the shrinking figure of Grace. "Go on back, you boys!" she +commanded the others. "Our--our hair isn't fit to be seen!" and the boys +retired, snickering. No girl likes to be looked at in a dressing gown, +when suddenly aroused from sleep. And one's hair doesn't appear half so +becoming in that state as it does even under a bathing cap. + +"But what does it all mean?" asked Mrs. Nelson, who had waited to put on +something smarter than a dressing sack before venturing out into the +hall. + +"Grace thought papa was a burglar," explained Betty. + +"Well--that is, I didn't exactly----" protestingly began Grace. + +"Did you have a nightmare?" asked Mrs. Nelson. "I'm afraid the diamond +excitement was too much for you. A little bromide, perhaps, or some----" + +"Oh, she doesn't need that," Betty said as the boys "made themselves +small" around a corner, that they might hear the explanation, if unseen. +"She really did think papa was taking the diamonds." + +"Why, he is!" cried Mrs. Nelson, as she caught sight of the objects her +husband carried--the mysterious box and the packet of precious stones. +"What are you doing with them?" she asked. + +"I was putting them in a safer place," he explained. "Perhaps it was +foolish of me, but, after I had brought them to my room, I got to +thinking it was rather careless to leave them about so. It wasn't so +much the fear of thieves as it was of fire. You know diamonds can't +stand much fire." + +"Oh, if they should be melted before we know who owns them!" gasped Mrs. +Nelson. + +"So when I found I couldn't sleep, for thinking of them," went on +Betty's father, "I made up my mind to hide them in a different place. +Perhaps it was foolish of me, but I couldn't help it. I'm as bad as some +of the girls, I guess," and he glanced at Betty and her chums, who now, +with flushed cheeks and looking pretty enough for any number of boys to +gaze upon, even if their hair was a bit awry, stood grouped in the hall. + +"So I got up," resumed Mr. Nelson, "took the diamonds from the bureau +drawer where I had placed them, and started to take them down cellar. +I----" + +"Down cellar!" cried Betty. "What a place to hide diamonds--in the +cellar!" + +"It's the safest all-around place," her father said. "I don't believe +any burglars would be able to find them where I was going to put them, +and in case of fire the diamonds would be in little danger. Of course +they might be buried under a lot of rubbish, but they wouldn't go up in +puffs of smoke. + +"So I got up as quietly as I could, and took the diamonds, intending to +go down cellar with them, hoping I would disturb no one." + +"But where did you get the box?" asked Betty. "That was in my room, +Daddy." + +"I know. I went in and took it out." + +"And I never awakened?" + +"No." + +"A fine guard for the diamonds," mocked Will from around the corner of +the hall. + +"Go to bed--you boys!" commanded Betty. + +"I thought I would take the box, too," Mr. Nelson resumed. "It forms one +of the clues, and I didn't want anything to happen to that. So I decided +to take that, put the diamonds in the secret bottom, and hide all down +cellar. Only Grace rather upset my plans." + +"I--I'm so sorry," said the thirsty one, contritely. + +"Don't you be!" returned Betty. "You're as good as a watch dog. To think +of _me_ never waking when papa came in my room." + +"I was glad you didn't," he said. "I hoped to have it all go off +quietly, and tell you in the morning. But as long as you know it now I +might as well proceed. I'll go on down cellar and hide them." + +"And don't forget to tell us where you put them," Betty urged. "If you +go away in the morning, we'll want to know where to run to get them in +case the house does catch fire." + +"Oh, don't suggest such a thing!" begged her mother. + +Mr. Nelson laughed and went on down cellar, coming back soon to tell the +waiting ones that he had found a little niche in the wall, near the +chimney, and had put the diamonds in the box there. Then the house +quieted down again. + +Will and Mr. Nelson left on an early train for Boston, both promising to +do all they could to learn the secret of the mysterious package of +diamonds. + +"And now what shall we girls do?" asked Betty, after breakfast. + +"What do the boys want to do?" queried Mollie. "Perhaps you may have +some plans for us." + +"Sorry, ladies," Allen said, "but our boat is on a strike again, and +we'll have to have it fixed. It isn't much, though, and we can go out +this afternoon." + +"Then we'll go down on the beach for a while," proposed Betty. "It's +lovely this morning. We'll go in bathing just before luncheon, and +then, after a little sleep, we'll be ready to have the boys amuse us." + +"Sounds nice, to hear them tell us," commented Roy with a laugh. + +And this plan was followed. When the boys went off in the motor boat, +the ignition system of which was not working to their satisfaction, the +girls strolled down to the shore, walking along it. + +"Let's go as far as the place we found the diamonds," proposed Amy. + +"Think you might find some more?" asked Betty, with a smile. + +"No such luck. But I thought perhaps we might see----" + +"Those men again? No, thank you!" cried Grace. + +"Nonsense!" exclaimed Mollie. "The beach is free, and it is broad +daylight. Come along." + +So they strolled along the sand, stopping now and then to pick up a +pretty shell or pebble. Out in the bay was the fleet of clamming boats, +little schooners from which the grappling rakes were thrown overboard, +and allowed to drag along the bottom with the motion of the craft, to be +hauled up now and then, and emptied of their shelly catch. + +On the other side of the point of land the ocean beat restlessly on the +beach. + +"Here's the place," exclaimed Betty, at length, as they came to the log +where they had sat when Mollie and Amy dug up the box of diamonds. + +"It doesn't look as though they had come back and searched in vain for +the treasure," said Betty. + +There was no evidence in the sand, that was certain. The girls looked +about a bit, and then strolled on. Before they knew it they found +themselves in front of the lone hut where, from the odor that hung in +the air, and the evidence of nets and boats about, it was evident a +fisherman dwelt. + +As the girls came opposite this, the door opened and a woman, with a +hard, cruel face, peered out. + +"Ah, little missies!" she croaked, "it's a fine morning for a walk, but +you must be tired. Won't you come in and rest?" And she leered up into +their faces. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +ANOTHER ALARM + + +At the first sight of the old crone Betty had drawn back, and now, as +the fishwife spoke, in a voice which she tried to render melodious, +though it ended only in a croak, the Little Captain seemed to urge her +chums away. + +"What does she mean?" whispered Grace. + +"Come in and rest--it is wearyin' work, walkin' in the sand," the woman +persisted. "I know, for many a day I have walked it lookin' for my man +to come back from the fishin' channel. But he's away now, and it's +lonesome for an old woman. Do come ye in!" + +"No, thank you, we like to be out of doors," answered Betty, +forestalling something Amy was going to say. + +"I could give you a drink of milk," the old fishwife went on. "Nice cold +milk. And cookies I baked myself--molasses cookies." + +"No, thank you just the same," spoke Betty, in a voice she tried to +render appreciative, though she showed a distinct distaste for the +nearness of the old woman. "We have just had breakfast," she added. + +"But won't you come in and rest?" the crone persisted. "The walk in the +sand----" + +"No, we aren't tired," said Mollie, seconding Betty's efforts. "And we +must be going back. Come on, girls. I'll race you to the old boat!" she +cried, with a sudden air of gaiety, and she set off at a rapid pace. + +For a moment the others hung back, and then Betty cried: + +"Come on, girls! It sha'n't be said that Billy beat me!" + +The old woman stared after the girls, uncomprehendingly for a moment, +and then, with a scowl on her face, turned back to the hut again. + +"Run on! Run on!" she muttered. "But I'll get ye yet! I'll get ye!" + +She turned, and seeing the backs of the girls toward her, shook a +gnarled and wrinkled fist at them. + +"I'll get ye yet!" she repeated. + +As she entered the hut a man's face was thrust down through an opening +in the ceiling--a hole that had been covered by a hatch-board. + +"Wouldn't they come?" he asked. + +"Naw! They turned from me as if I was dirt." + +"The snips! Well, maybe we'll get another chance." + +"Another chance?" repeated the crone. + +"Yes! We've got to, I tell you. If not, Jake will----" + +"Hush! No names!" cautioned the woman. + +Meanwhile the outdoor girls, having raced to the goal, an old boat +half-buried in the sand, came to a panting halt. Mollie had won, chiefly +because she had started off before the others, for Betty was accounted +the best runner of her chums. + +"Well, what does it all mean?" asked Grace, who came limping in last, +for, in spite of her expressed promise to the contrary, she still wore +those high-heeled shoes. "You act as though you had run away from the +plague, Betty!" + +"And so we did, my dear. The plague of fish! Ugh! I can almost taste +them--fishy, oily fish!" + +"And she offered us--milk!" added Mollie. + +"It would probably have been--cod-liver oil," spoke Betty, with a +shudder of repugnance. "Oh, let me get a breath of real air!" and she +turned her face to the misty wind of the sea. + +"But what does it all mean?" asked Amy, in rather bewildered tones. +"Why did we run away?" + +"That's what I want to know," put in Grace. "And I believe--yes, I have +dropped my chocolates. Oh, how provoking! I'm going back after them." + +"You're going to do nothing of the sort!" declared Betty, with a +firmness she seldom manifested. + +"But--why?" questioned Grace. "Why can't I go back after my candy?" + +"Baby!" mocked Mollie. + +"Because it's probably near that abominable hut!" said Betty. "And that +old crone might capture you. Did you see how eager she was to get us in +there?" + +"She did seem rather insistent," agreed Amy. "But was it any more than +mere kindness?" + +"If you ask me--it was," said Betty, firmly. + +"But why?" persisted Grace. + +"Eternal question mark!" Betty commented. "Now, girls," she went on, "I +don't know all the whys and wherefores, but I'm sure of one thing, and +that is nice people don't live in that hut. I don't mean just poor, or +unfortunate, or ignorant people, either," she went on. "I mean they +aren't nice--or--or safe! There, perhaps you'll like that better." + +"Not safe?" repeated Grace. "What do you mean?" + +"I mean I saw faces looking from the window of that hut, the day we +found the diamonds, that I wouldn't want to meet in the dark, or +alone--those who go with the faces, perhaps, I should say." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Grace, glancing involuntarily over her shoulder. + +"Oh, no one is following us," Betty said; "but I wanted to get well +away." + +"Why do you think she wanted us to go in?" inquired Mollie. + +"Do you think it had anything to do with the diamonds?" was Amy's +question. + +"I don't know what to think," confessed Betty. "But I wouldn't have gone +into that hut for a good bit. Though perhaps the worst we would have +been asked would have been to purchase some worthless trifles." + +"Or perhaps buy smuggled lace," suggested Mollie. + +"I never thought of that!" exclaimed Betty. "Of course it might be +that." + +"If Will were only here!" said Amy. + +"We'll tell him when he comes back," Betty said. "Perhaps it may not +amount to anything, but if he can give the government some information +it may serve him a good turn, since he is just beginning work in the +Secret Service." + +"But do you really think that old woman, and those you may have seen +through the window of the hut the day we made our find, have anything to +do with the diamonds?" asked Mollie. + +"Frankly, I haven't the least idea," admitted Betty. "And what is the +use of guessing and wondering? Only I am sure of one thing. I'll never +go into that hut!" + +Betty little realized how her boast was to be recalled to her under +strange circumstances. + +The outdoor girls sat down to rest on the old boat, and talked of many +things. The impression caused by the old woman's invitation soon wore +off. Then they started back, for they wanted to get their morning bath +before luncheon. + +"Oh, some one is here!" exclaimed Betty, as they saw an auto standing on +the graveled drive of the cottage. "I wonder who it can be?" + +"You father or Will wouldn't be back so soon; would they?" asked Amy. + +"No, it must be----" + +A voice interrupted Betty. + +"Ah, I dare say I shall find them! I will keep along the beach. Charming +weather, isn't it? Ah, yes, really!" + +"Percy Falconer!" said Grace. "Catch me, somebody!" + +"Hush! He'll hear you!" cautioned Betty, and a moment later the "johnny" +of Deepdale, attired in the latest fashion in motoring togs, came out on +the porch, followed quickly by Mrs. Nelson. + +"Oh, here are the girls now!" said Betty's mother. + +"Yes," assented Betty. "We are back," but there was no enthusiasm in her +voice. + +"Oh, but I say, I am charmed to see you--all," added Percy, after a +glance at the Little Captain. "I motored down, don't you know. Father +let me, after some arguing. I should have liked to come in the boat, +with the rest of the fellows, but I can't stand the sea, really I can't. +But I'm glad I'm here." + +"Yes, we--we are glad to see you," Betty said. "We are going in bathing; +won't you come along?" + +"Ah, thank you, now. I'm afraid it's a little too cool for going into +the water to-day; don't you?" + +"No, we like it!" said Mollie. "How did you leave Deepdale?" + +"Oh, everything is the same, though it's very lonesome, with you girls +away." + +"Oh, who let him in?" murmured Grace, with a despairing glance at Betty. + +"Hush!" the latter cautioned her. "At least he has his car, and we can +have a ride now and then," for Mollie's machine was in use by her mother +that summer, and the girls had no chance at its pleasures. + +"Mercenary!" whispered Mollie to the Little Captain. + +Percy was made as welcome as the circumstances permitted, and he sat on +the sand under a huge umbrella while the girls frolicked in the water. +The boys came back for luncheon, and helped to divide the boredom of the +newest arrival, though they made uncomplimentary remarks behind his +back, and Betty was in constant fear lest some unpleasant incident +should occur. She had to remember that she was the hostess. + +Nothing was said of the incident at the fisherman's hut, and that +afternoon the young people went for a motor boat trip. That is, all but +Percy Falconer. He could not be induced to embark, even on the calm +waters of the bay, and so he spent a lonesome afternoon at the cottage, +talking to Mrs. Nelson. + +Toward evening Betty found a chance to speak to Old Tin-Back, who came +with a mess of crabs. + +She asked him who lived in the little, lone hut. + +"Well, no one as you would care to know, Miss Betty. He's a man that +hasn't a good name." + +"A man? But I thought a woman----" + +"Oh, yes, Mag, his wife, is there, too. She's worse than Pete in some +respects." + +"Are they smugglers?" Betty wanted to know. + +"Well, they might be, if there was anythin' to smuggle. But I call 'em +just plain--thieves. Pete could tell lots about other folks' lobster and +crab cars being opened if he wanted to, I guess." + +A telegram came from Mr. Nelson that evening, saying he would remain in +Boston two or three days. He added that there was "no news," which the +girls took to mean he had heard nothing about the diamonds. Will sent no +word. + +It was about nine o'clock, when, after a stroll down the moonlit beach, +the boys and girls were returning to the cottage. As they came up the +walk a scream rang out. + +"What's that?" cried Allen, who was beside Betty. + +"It sounded like Jane, the cook," was the answer. "But----" + +More screams interrupted Betty, and then the voice of a woman was heard +calling: + +"Come quick! There's men in the cellar!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +ANXIOUS DAYS + + +"Come on, boys!" cried Allen, evidently the first to sense the meaning +of the alarm. + +"Oh, but shouldn't we have some sort of weapons, you know?" spoke Percy. + +"Get out of my way!" cried Roy Anderson, brushing past the dude. "My +fists are the only weapons I want." + +Betty and the other girls hung back in a frightened group. The maid's +voice continued to ring out, and now Mrs. Nelson could be heard +demanding to know what was the matter. + +"Around to the side, fellows!" commanded Allen. "There's an outer door +they'll probably try for." + +"But who'll guard the front here?" asked Amy's brother. + +"Let Percy do that!" Allen flung back over his shoulder. "He probably +won't come with us, anyhow," he added. + +The three young men hastened around to the side of the cottage, while +Percy, hardly knowing what to do, remained with the girls in front. At +the side was an old-fashioned, slanting cellar door, the kind celebrated +in song as the one down which children slide, to the no small damage of +their clothes. + +As Allen and his chums reached a point where they could view this door, +they saw it suddenly flung up with a bang, and three men spring up the +stone steps. + +"There they are!" yelled Roy. + +"After 'em!" shouted Henry Blackford. + +"It wasn't a false alarm, anyhow," added Allen. "Hold on there!" he +cried. "Stop! Who are you? What do you want? Stop!" + +But neither the commands nor the questions halted the men. They ran on, +with never a word of answer or defiance flung back--dogged shadows +fleeing through the moonlight to the shrubbery-encompassed grounds of +Edgemere. + +"Stop, or I'll shoot!" cried Roy. + +"Oh!" screamed Grace, covering her ears. + +"Good bluff, all right," complimented Allen. "But it won't work." + +Nor did it. Roy's bright idea went for naught, for the men still crashed +on. They were lost sight of now behind a screen of bushes, but the boys +were not going to give up the pursuit so easily. + +"Come on!" called Allen. "We'll have them in another minute! They can't +get over the stone wall." + +"Stone wall?" echoed Henry. + +"Sush! It was another bluff, just as my threat was to shoot," cautioned +Roy. "It may turn them back." + +But it did not. Evidently the men knew the grounds about Edgemere as +well as did the boys, for there was no sign of a halt in their headlong +pace. On they crashed through bushes and underbrush, dodging among the +trees of the garden, and minding not the flower beds they trampled under +foot. + +"They're getting away from us," remarked Henry, who was panting along +beside Allen. + +"Yes, they evidently had a line of retreat all marked out." + +"Who are they?" + +"Haven't the least idea. Tramps, maybe--maybe something worse." + +"You mean----" + +"I don't know just what I do mean," replied Allen. "Come on, let's do a +little sprint, and we may get them. If we don't they'll soon be down on +the beach, and it will be all up with the chase if they have a boat, as +they probably have." + +"If it was on the ocean side we'd have some chance; the surf is heavy +to-night." + +"Yes, but they're running toward the bay." + +As I have explained, Edgemere was built on a point of land. One side of +the house fronted the ocean, and the other the bay. At this point the +land was not above a thousand feet wide, and the cottage property +extended from shore line to shore line. + +As Allen had said, the intruders, coming from the cellar, had turned +toward the bay side, and if they had a boat waiting for them in those +quiet waters they would have no difficulty in pushing off. But if they +had gone the other way the unusually heavy surf would have held them +back, at least for a time. + +"There they go!" cried Roy, breaking out through the last fringe of +bushes. + +"And in a motor boat, too!" added Roy. + +"If we only had ours," Henry mourned. + +But it was vain wishing. The _Pocohontas_ was docked some distance away, +and by the time the boys could reach her, and start an engine that was +never noted for going without considerable "tinkering," it would be too +late. + +For the men had luck on their side. They fairly tumbled into a swift +looking craft that was near shore, in charge of some one evidently +waiting for them. In another instant the chug of the motor told that it +had started. Then the boys had the dissatisfaction of standing on the +sand, panting after their run, and seeing the men gradually draw out +into the bay. + +The sky had clouded over and the moon, that might have been a help, was +not now of any service. + +"Well, there they go," said Allen, in exasperated tones. "I'd give a +good deal to know who they were, and what they were after." + +"Let's go back to the house and see if we can find out," suggested Roy. +"The fuss started there, you know." + +"In the cellar--where the diamonds are," added Henry. + +"That's so!" cried Allen. "For the moment I had forgotten them! Come on +back. Maybe the rascals got the stones!" + +The boys went back the same route they had so recently and so uselessly +traveled. As they neared the cottage a voice hailed them. + +"I say. Hold on! Who are you? What do you want? Remember there are +ladies here!" + +"It's Percy!" gasped Allen, trying not to laugh. "He's acting as home +guard!" + +"I wonder if he has his wrist watch on," laughed Roy. + +"It's all right," called Henry, not wishing his sister and the other +girls to be needlessly frightened. "We're coming back." + +"Did you get them?" asked Betty, from the darkness. + +"No, they got away in a boat," answered Allen. "Is anyone hurt?" + +"No, but the servants and mother are quite frightened. Could you see who +they were?" + +"No. Evidently tramps, or fishermen. We'll have to have a look at +those----" + +Allen did not complete the sentence, but they all knew to what he +referred. + +"So you--er--missed them?" questioned Percy, when the two groups were +together again. "Too bad! I was just coming to join you. I had to have a +weapon, you know, and I found--this." + +He showed a little stick which he had picked up. + +"I should have hit them with it had I gotten near enough," he went on, +seriously--for him. + +"It's a good thing you didn't," spoke Roy. "You might have killed one of +them with that, Percy." + +"Oh, so I should! I--I can strike very hard when I am angry. I am just +as well pleased that there was no need for desperate measures. I really +am!" + +But no one paid any attention to him now, though he tried to walk beside +Betty. Allen and Roy had taken this vantage place, one on either side of +the Little Captain. + +"Betty, where are you?" called Mrs. Nelson, from the darkness. + +"Here, Mother. Don't worry. It's all right. The men got away in a boat. +We are coming in to hear all about it." + +The story was soon told. + +One of the maids, going down cellar to get something from the food +store-room, had surprised a man prowling about with an electric +flashlight. + +The girl screamed, and her cries were augmented by the yells of another +domestic in the kitchen. + +Then the first girl saw two other men come from some part of the cellar +and join the first one. They ran out just as the boys came up, and the +fruitless chase resulted. + +"What sort of men were they?" asked Betty of the girl who had given the +alarm. + +"Oh, I don't know, Miss Betty," was the half-sobbed reply. + +"But you must know! Did he wear a tall hat or----" + +"A tall hat? Of course not, miss. He was like a tramp, or a +fisherman--maybe a clammer." + +"That's how I sized them up," Allen said. "Fishermen. Did they say +anything to you?" he asked the maid. + +"Not a thing--no, sir. He just caught his breath, sort of frightened +like, and ran out." + +"Did the one you saw call to the others?" + +"Oh, no, sir, they all ran out at once, as soon as I went down. I had a +light myself." + +"What part of the cellar were they in?" + +"I couldn't exactly say. They seemed to be all over." + +"Well, we'll have a look for--to see if anything is missing," Allen +hastily changed his remarks, for the servants knew nothing about the +diamonds; or, at least, they were not supposed to know about them. + +"Come on, boys," the young law student went on. + +"Oh, but hadn't we better send for the authorities?" asked Percy. "Or at +least take a weapon," for Allen and the others had nothing in their +hands. + +"He's loony on the subject of weapons," grunted Roy. + +Allen led the way down cellar, the girls and the servants not venturing, +though Betty did want to go. But her mother kept her back. + +A glance served to show that the diamonds were in the box, safe. As far +as could be learned the intruders had not been near them. + +"We'll bring them up, after the servants have gone to bed," Allen +confided to his chums. + +And when the maids had retired there was a sort of "council of war" +among the others. + +Opinion was divided as to whether the men were ordinary tramps, or +perhaps sneak thieves, or whether they were after the diamonds. + +"But how would they know they were down cellar?" asked Betty. "We are +the only ones who know of the hiding place, and we haven't told anyone, +except Percy." + +"Oh, I never said a word!" Percy cried. Indeed he only heard the story +of the find, after the scare. + +"Of course if some men from this neighborhood hid the diamonds in the +sand, and knew we girls took them out, and if they were around the house +and heard something of the excitement the night papa took them down +cellar, it would explain how they knew where to look for them," Betty +said. + +"Too many ifs," commented Allen. "Have there been any strangers around +lately--tramps or anyone like that?" + +At first Betty said there had been none, but later she recalled that a +maid had reported to her that an undesirable specimen of a man had +begged something to eat at the kitchen door the morning after Mr. Nelson +had hid the diamonds down cellar. + +"And," Betty said, "he may have been hanging around when father and Will +left for Boston that day." + +"But how could he know the stones were hidden down cellar?" asked +Mollie. + +"I don't know that he could tell that, exactly," Betty admitted, "but if +you remember, as papa was going away he called back: 'Be sure to keep +the cellar locked!' Don't you remember?" + +"Yes, I heard that," Amy contributed. + +"Well, if a tramp, who was not really a tramp, but some one in disguise, +heard that he might jump to some conclusion," Betty went on. + +"Too much jumping," Allen said. "As a matter of fact we're all in the +dark about this." + +"And it isn't a very pleasant suspense, either," declared Betty, as she +looked at the black box with the diamonds safe in the secret +compartment. "What are we going to do with that?" + +"Hide it in a new place," suggested Henry. + +That much was decided on, and the treasure was taken up to the attic, +though there the danger of fire was ever present. + +"Oh, I wish father were home," said Betty, a worried look on her face. + +But it would be several days before Mr. Nelson could return, and those +days were anxious ones indeed for the outdoor girls. The morning after +the scare in the cellar inquiries were made, but no trace of the +mysterious men was found. + +"I can't stand this much longer!" declared Betty, one night. "I almost +wish we'd never found the diamonds." + +"You're nervous," said Mollie. "We've been too much in the house. +To-morrow we shall try one of our old stunts--a picnic!" + +"Good!" cried Grace. "That will be fun!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE PICNIC + + +"Did you bring plenty of olives?" + +"And I do hope we didn't forget the cheese crackers!" + +"Oh, everything is here--more than we'll eat, I think, by the weight of +the baskets." + +"Where did I put--oh, here they are!" + +This last, with a sigh of relief, as she found her package of candy, +came from Grace. Mollie, Amy and Betty had, in turn, been heard from in +the aforequoted remarks. + +"It's a glorious day; isn't it?" questioned Grace as she walked on +beside Amy. + +"Yes, but not so nice that you need forget you're carrying only a box of +chocolates," remarked Betty, pointedly. "Take one of these baskets." + +"Oh, excuse me," apologized Grace, and she turned quickly, wincing a bit +as she did so. + +"Those same ridiculous shoes!" cried Mollie. + +"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Grace Ford." + +"Why? They're the most comfortable ones I have, to go tramping about in, +and they're so stained from the salt water that they can't be damaged +any more. Just right for the picnic, I think." + +"Yes, but you walk worse than a Chinese woman before the binding of feet +was forbidden. Don't let her carry anything spillable, Betty, or we +won't have all the lunch we count on," Mollie urged. + +"Oh, is that so!" exclaimed Grace, with as near an approach to +"snippiness" as she ever permitted herself. + +"Oh, I'll carry the basket," said gentle Amy, always anxious to avoid a +quarrel. + +"You'll do nothing of the sort!" insisted Betty, who had, like the +Little Captain she was, arranged the commissary department on lines she +intended to see carried out. + +"Oh, well, if we're going, let's go!" exclaimed Mollie. "We're wasting +the best part of the day getting ready." + +It was the day after Mollie had proposed that the outdoor girls go on a +little picnic, and her plan had been enthusiastically adopted. As she +had said, the affair of the diamonds was getting on the nerves of them +all. They had stuck too close to the house, and there was a "jumpiness" +and fault-finding spirit seldom manifested by the four chums. + +They were to take their lunch, and spend the day on the beach, or in the +scrubby woods, not far away, taking to a boat if they felt so inclined. + +The boys had offered to take them out for a cruise in the _Pocohontas_, +but the girls felt that they would rather be by themselves on this +occasion. + +Accordingly lunch baskets had been packed and now this glorious summer +morning they were about to start. The boys, their kind offer refused, +had gone off on a fishing jaunt--that is, all but Will, and he had not +returned from Boston. Grace had a hasty note from him in which he stated +that work connected with his new duties would keep him busy for a week +or so, after which he hoped to join his friends at Edgemere. + +"No news of a diamond robbery around Boston," he wrote, in a letter. +"I've written to a fellow in New York about it, though. Sometimes the +police keep those things out of the papers for reasons of their own. +Maybe they think the robbers won't know the diamonds have been taken, if +nothing is printed about it, at least that's the way it looks." + +At any rate Will reported no news, and Mr. Nelson had pretty much the +same story to tell. His wife had written to him about the men in the +cellar, and he had advised getting some fisherman of the neighborhood to +stay on guard every night, until he could come down to Ocean View again. + +"We might get Old Tin-Back," suggested Betty. + +"It would only make me nervous," her mother said. "I don't believe the +men will bother us again." + +"Well, they won't find the diamonds down cellar if they do pay us +another visit," Betty had said. She had, after some thought, hidden the +precious stones in her own room, wrapping the box in some sheets of +asbestos, which Allen had left over after putting some on the muffler of +the motor boat. + +"The asbestos will protect the diamonds in case of fire," Betty said, +"and I'll protect them in case of thieves. Anyhow, no one, not even the +servants, know where they are, and it would take a good while to find +them in my room." + +For she had discovered an ingenious little hiding place for the +mysterious black box. + +The boys, after the scare of the men in the cellar, had offered to take +the diamonds up to Boston, or some other city near Ocean View, and put +them in the vault of some bank. + +"But you might be robbed on the train, going up," objected Betty. "We'll +keep them here until the secret is discovered. That will be the best +thing to do." + +"And that may never be," Allen had said, for he had long since given up +the cipher. Nor had experts, to whom he had submitted it, been able to +furnish a clue to its solution. + +So, while the boys had gone out fishing in the motor boat, the girls +prepared for their picnic, leaving the diamonds at home. + +Percy Falconer had declined the boys' invitation to go fishing, and when +Betty heard him say that he feared to go out on the water she had looked +at her chums with hopeless despair on her face. + +"What if he wants to come on the picnic with us?" she whispered to +Grace. + +"We--we'll run away from him!" had been the ultimatum. But Percy did not +pluck up enough courage to trust himself, the only youth, with four +girls. + +"I'll go for a run in my car, and may pick you up and bring you back +later," he said, with a glance at his wrist watch. He was still a guest +at Edgemere. + +"Well, let's start!" called Betty, and the four girls set off down the +beach. + +"Why are you going that way?" asked Grace, as Mollie and Betty, who had +taken the lead, started along a certain path amid the sand dunes. + +"Just for fun," answered Betty. "I have a fancy for looking again at the +place where we found the diamonds." + +"We can't seem to get rid of them, day or night--sleeping or waking," +spoke Amy. "Isn't it dreadful how they follow one?" + +"Well, I, for one, don't want to get rid of them," Mollie said, with a +laugh. "They are far too pretty and valuable to lose sight of. Though of +course I want whoever owns them to get his property back." + +"Even those horrid men?" asked Grace. + +"Well, if they have a right to the diamonds, the fact of their being +horrid, as you call it, should not deprive them of the stones," Betty +said. + +"We ought to get a reward, anyhow," spoke Amy. + +"That's right, little girl!" exclaimed Betty. "Well, I do wish it was +settled, one way or the other. Having fifty thousand dollars' worth of +diamonds, more or less, in one's possession isn't calculated to make one +sleep nights. And I just would love one of those big sparklers in a +ring. I think----" + +But Betty did not complete her sentence. There was a rattling sound on +the farther side of a sand dune around which the girls were just then +making their way. Some gravel and shells seemed to be sliding down the +declivity. + +"What's that?" asked Grace, shrinking back against Betty. + +"I don't know," answered the Little Captain. "Maybe the wind." + +But it was not the wind, for, a moment later, the wrinkled face of the +aged crone of the fisherman's cabin peered at the girls from over the +rushes that grew in the sand hill. + +"Oh, excuse me, my dears," she said in her cracked voice. "I didn't see +you. Out for a walk again; aren't you, my dears? Won't you come up to my +cottage, and have a glass of milk?" + +"No, thank you," Betty answered, and she could not help being "short," +as she said afterward. "We are going on a little picnic." + +She swung around into another path between the dunes, and changed her +mind about going to look at the hole near the broken spar, where the +diamonds had been found. + +"Oh, I wonder if she heard us?" whispered Mollie, as they lost sight of +the old crone around the rushes and dunes. + +"I hope not," said Betty, and her usually smiling face wore a worried +look. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +CAUGHT + + +"That woman seems to--persecute us!" burst out Mollie, when the girls +were well on their way again, out of range of the sand dunes, going down +the beach where the salty air of the ocean and bay blew in their faces. + +"Oh, hardly as bad as _that_," remarked Amy. + +"Well, she always seems to be following us," insisted Mollie, "and I am +positively tired of being asked to her cottage to drink milk." + +"I'd never touch a thing she offered," said Betty. "I would be afraid it +wouldn't be--clean." + +"She always seems to leer at one so," went on Mollie. + +"Oh, you're making out a terrible case against the old woman," Grace put +in, carefully selecting a chocolate from her supply. + +"Well, she is very persistent," observed Betty. "And now let's forget +all about her, and the--well, I won't mention them, but you know what I +mean," and she smiled at her chums. Indeed Betty was beginning to think +she had been just a little indiscreet in speaking aloud of the precious +stones. + +"We'll just have a good outing, as we used to," she went on. + +"Like the time when we found the five-hundred-dollar bill," suggested +Amy. + +"Or when the girl fell out of the tree," added Mollie. + +"Gracious! Those _were_ tragic times enough!" broke in Grace. + +"But we enjoyed them--after they were over," added Betty. "And I think +we shall enjoy finding--well, finding what we did find, after Allen +straightens it out for us." + +"Oh, is he going to straighten it out for us?" asked Mollie. + +"Well, isn't he working hard on it?" Betty wanted to know. + +"I thought Will was going to get us clues," Mollie went on. "Or your +father?" + +"Oh, of course they may find the owners, but they are waiting for +something to be published in the papers." + +"Well, is Allen doing any more?" Amy asked. "If he is he hasn't said +anything to us about it, though of course you'd be the first one to +hear of it, Betty," she said, innocently enough. + +"I?" cried the Little Captain, with upraised eyebrows. "Why I, pray?" + +"Oh, because you and Allen are----" + +"That's enough!" laughed Mollie. "Spare her blushes, child!" + +"Oh!" exclaimed Amy, in confusion. + +"You needn't worry about me," said Betty, quickly. "What I meant was +that Allen is working on a plan to solve the mystery." + +"Has he told you all about it?" Grace wanted to know. + +"Not all. We agreed that it would be better to say nothing to any one +else about it until he was ready to act." + +"Oh, of course," admitted Mollie. "The fewer the outsiders are who know +about the--well, let's call them 'apples,' and then no one will suspect. +The fewer who know about the 'apples' so much the better. But I do hope +we each get one--'apple'--out of it," and she laughed. + +"We ought to," returned Betty. She looked back toward the sand dunes, +possibly for a sight of the old fishwife, but no one was in view. + +The girls wandered on. The day was bright and beautiful, giving little +hint of the tragic occurrence that was in the air. It was as if the +outdoor girls were on one of the walking tours which they had +instituted. The sand, however, was not conducive to rapid progress, and +they were content to stroll idly. + +They were now past the place where the diamonds had been found, though +they were all anxious for a sight of the hole in the sand, to see if +they could discover any signs that those who hid the precious stones +there had come back to find their booty gone. But they did not think it +wise to visit the place, with that queer old woman in the nearby sand +dunes. + +Now and then they would stop to pick up some prettier shell than usual, +or to gather a few of the odd-shaped pebbles. + +"They look just like that queer candy they sell in Tracey's," commented +Grace, as she rattled a handful of the little stones of various colors, +shapes and sizes. + +"Oh, the pebble candy--yes," assented Mollie. "I wonder what they will +imitate next?" + +"Plenty of wood here for a marshmallow roast," commented Amy, a little +later, as she idly kicked the bits of drift on the beach. + +"Yes!" exclaimed Grace. "But we didn't bring any. I meant to, but----" + +"She had so much other candy she couldn't carry marshmallows," +interrupted Betty. + +Grace threw a wisp of seaweed at her chum, but the Little Captain easily +dodged it. + +"I wonder if Percy will really come for us in the car?" asked Amy, after +a pause. + +"Do you want him to?" asked Betty, with a smile. + +"I? No, indeed!" and Amy's face was suffused with a blush. + +"Oh, well, don't get fussy about it," mocked Mollie. "We don't want him, +either." + +"He'd have trouble running his car through this sand," Grace said. "It's +awfully deep and dry. Let's stop. When are we going to eat?" + +"Eat?" cried Mollie. + +"Eat?" echoed Amy. "Why we just had breakfast!" + +"Eat?" spoke Betty, in a tone characterized as "dull and hopeless," in +stories. "Why, Grace Ford, if you have done anything else but +eat--candy--ever since we started on this picnic, I'd like to know it!" + +Poor Grace looked a little startled at this combined attack on her. + +"Why, I--I haven't done anything," she said, innocently enough. "I just +asked when you were going to eat and you take me up as though I had +proposed throwing those--'apples'--we found, into the sea." + +"If you look back along the way you'll see at least three empty candy +bags," declared Betty. + +"Oh, well, they were little bags," protested Grace. "I had them put in +small bags on purpose so I would know just how much I was eating." + +"I don't believe you ever know how much candy you are eating," laughed +Mollie. "Never mind, Grace, we all have our faults." + +"We'll eat soon," promised Betty. "I want to get in the shade." + +They strolled on, walking near the wet edge of the sand where the tide +was coming in, for that section of the beach made firmer footing. + +"There's a good place for our picnic," finally decided Mollie, as she +saw a little clump of scrub evergreens which grew rather close to the +water. "We can eat and have a fine view at the same time." + +"Is that the boys' boat out there?" asked Mollie, as they made their way +toward the bit of shade. + +"No, that's a small schooner. It's been anchored there for some days," +Betty said. "There's something queer about it, too." + +"Something queer?" repeated Amy. + +"Yes, the men in it don't seem to be gathering clams, which work all the +other schooners are engaged in around here, and they're not net +fishermen aboard her." + +"Who told you that?" asked Mollie. + +"Old Tin-Back. He notices anything odd about the boats. He said he +passed her in his dory the other day, and some one yelled to him not to +come too close." + +"Why was that?" Grace asked. + +"That's what Tin-Back didn't know. He thought it was very strange," +Betty went on. "But come on, I know Grace must be--famished! Aren't you, +my dear?" + +The baskets were opened, and the contents spread out on a cloth on the +sand. Grace reached for the bottle of olives. + +"For an appetizer," she explained. + +"You need it, after munching candy all the way here," commented Mollie. + +And then, as they ate, the girls talked of many matters, now and then +looking off toward the bay or ocean, whereon could be seen many vessels, +mostly little clamming schooners, drifting with the wind on their +squared sails, dragging the big rakes along the bottom. But the schooner +of which Betty had spoken rose and fell at her anchor, and there was no +sign of life aboard. + +"This is just perfect," remarked Grace, as she found a comfortable +position, leaning back against a tree. "Please don't disturb me, any +one, I'm going to sleep." + +"I believe I'll join you," added Mollie. "Salt air always makes me +drowsy. Or perhaps it is the effect of the bright sun on the sand." + +While Mollie and Grace closed their eyes, Betty dug idly in the sand, +and Amy produced a handkerchief and a tiny embroidery frame and began +initialling a corner. + +"Virtuous girl," observed Betty. "You shame us all by your industry." + +"It's only that I promised Henry I would put his initials on some new +handkerchiefs he bought," Amy explained. "I must hurry and finish them, +for he is going West on a trip soon." + +"It's nice to have a brother," remarked Betty, idly. + +She tossed some sand and little pebbles toward Grace, but the latter had +actually gone to sleep, and the deep and regular breathing of Mollie +proclaimed the same fact. + +"Oh, I can't stand this!" the Little Captain cried, a few minutes later. +"I want to do something. Let's go for a little walk, Amy, and let them +sleep." + +"All right." + +"Will you go as far as the place where we found the--'apples'?" asked +Betty, with a look around to be sure no stray fishermen were in the +neighborhood. + +"Yes, if you like." + +"Then come on. I want to see if the men came back, and tried to find the +box that was buried in the sand." + +It was rather a longer walk than Betty had thought, but finally she and +Amy came within sight of the lone fisherman's hut, and the log that lay +on the edge of the hole in the sand, though the latter, so Betty +expected, would be filled up by the action of the waves or wind ere +this. + +"I do hope that horrid old woman doesn't invite us in again," Betty +remarked. "She is a--pest!" + +The Little Captain and Amy were walking down the sands, in the midst of +a number of high dunes, or hills. + +"There's the place!" Betty said. "It doesn't seem to have been----" + +A noise behind caused her to turn suddenly. A scream came to her lips, +but it was choked off by the sudden forward rush of the old crone who +roughly placed her withered hand over Betty's mouth. + +"I--I've got her!" she croaked. At the same time a man caught Amy by the +arm, and stifled her impending cry in the same manner. + +[Illustration: THE OLD CRONE PLACED HER HAND OVER BETTY'S MOUTH.--_Page +162._ + +_The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View._] + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +ON THE SCHOONER + + +Betty Nelson was an unusually muscular girl. She and her outdoor chums +had not lived so much in the open air for nothing, and taken long tramps +and regular physical exercise. They had played basketball, tennis and +golf, and though their arms looked pretty in evening dresses, there were +muscles beneath those same beautifully tanned skins. + +For a moment Betty was so surprised at the suddenness of the attack that +she could do nothing. She had had but a momentary glimpse of the face of +the old crone, and only for that she might have thought it was the boys, +who had stolen up behind her and Amy, and had put their hands over their +eyes to make them guess who had thus blinded them. + +But in an instant Betty knew this was no friendly game. And so, as soon +as she realized that, she began to struggle, and to some good purpose. + +She managed to pull from her mouth the horrible, fishy-smelling hand of +the old woman, and then Betty screamed as she endeavored to loosen the +grip the old crone had on her arms. + +"Help! Help!" screamed Betty. "Let me go! How dare you! What does this +mean? Amy, where are you?" for Betty could not, for the moment, see her +chum. + +But poor Amy was not as muscular as Betty, nor did she have the +advantage of battling against a woman, for a man had caught her, and +held her in a cruel grip. + +"Help! Help!" Betty cried again, struggling desperately. + +"Be quiet! Be quiet, my little dear--little imp!" hissed the old woman, +for Betty had struck her in the face. "Be quiet or I'll----" + +"Can't you stop her screams?" roughly demanded the man. "She'll have +some one buzzing down on us if you don't! Clap a stopper on her, or +I'll----" + +"You must be quiet, my dear!" hissed the old crone, struggling to infuse +some measure of conciliation in her cracked voice. "Be quiet or----" + +"I'll not! Let me go! How dare you! Help! Help!" screamed Betty, but, +even as she called, she realized how hopeless it was, for she saw no one +in sight and the thunder of the surf would not permit her cries to +carry far. She tried to get a sight of Amy, but could not. + +"Let me--let me----" panted Betty, and then, though she struggled with +all her might, making the old woman pant and hiss to overcome her, Betty +found herself being gradually exhausted. Again that horrid hand stole +over her mouth, making her feel ill, and effectually shutting off her +cries. + +"Quick!" panted the old woman. "I can't hold her much longer. You'll +have to tie her--or--something." + +"I'll do _something_, all right!" said the man, significantly. He was +having little trouble with poor Amy, who had yielded like some broken +flower. "I'll just tie this one up, and then take care of her," the +fellow went on. + +Betty had a glimpse of his dark and brutal face and she shuddered. It +was bad enough to have him touch Amy, and bad enough for the old +fishwife to clasp Betty in her horrid arms, but Betty thought she surely +would die if that man approached her. + +She tried to speak--to say that she would not scream again if they would +only tell what they wanted--take her purse and its contents--but only +let her alone. But she could only mutter a meaningless jumble of sounds +with that fishy hand over her mouth, pressing cruelly on her lips. + +"Can you carry her, and keep her from screaming?" asked the man, who had +pulled some cords from his pocket and was quickly tying Amy's hands. +Then he fastened a rag over her mouth, and poor Amy, who came out of a +half-faint, was too late to add her voice to Betty's. + +"Carry her--no, she'll struggle like a cat!" muttered the old woman. +"You'll have to help." + +"Help! Haven't I got my hands full?" he demanded. "Where are some of the +others? They ought to be back now. They knew this chance might come any +time." + +"They have been lying in wait for us," thought Betty. It was one of the +many ideas that raced through her brain at express-train speed. "That is +why this old woman wanted us to come to her hut." + +"There's some one now!" exclaimed the man, leaning up from having put a +cord around Amy's ankles as she lay on a sand hill. + +"If it isn't some one she's brought by her yells," snarled the fishwife. + +"No, it's Jake, thank goodness!" muttered the man, as a rough-looking +specimen, the counterpart of himself, peered around a dune. "Get busy +here, Jake, and truss up that other--cat!" the first man ordered. + +"All right, Pete," was the answer. "Got any rope?" + +"Here's some," and the one addressed as Pete kicked over some net-cord +toward the newcomer. + +Meanwhile Betty had desisted from her struggle to get loose. She was +strong and wiry, but the old crone was more than a match for the Little +Captain. The fisherman's wife seemed to know how to handle struggling +persons, for she held Betty in a peculiar grip that was most effective. +Bend and strain as Betty might, she could not break away, and that hand +was still held over her mouth, preventing any further outcry. + +"Just a minute now, Mag, and I'll have her safe," went on Jake, as, with +practiced hands he whipped several coils of cord around Betty's wrists +and ankles. + +"Stop! Stop!" she implored as the woman's hand was taken from her mouth +for a second. It was poor Betty's last chance to appeal, for, an instant +later, a fold of ill-smelling cloth was put over her lips, and she was +effectually gagged. Tears of shame, rage and fear came into her eyes. + +"Now you can carry her, without any trouble," announced Jake, rising. + +"Take 'em up to the shack," ordered Pete. "Then tell the others to get +the boat ready." + +Betty wondered what that meant. Were they to be kidnapped? She tried to +look at Amy, but could not see her just then. + +A moment later she felt herself being lifted up between the two men. It +was useless to struggle. + +Amy was much lighter than Betty, and was hoisted up to the shoulder of +the old crone, who seemed wonderfully strong. + +"Take a look out, Mag, and see if any one's in sight before we make a +dash for the shack," directed Pete. "Her screams may have been heard. +She yelled like a banshee!" + +The fishwife, carrying the limp figure of Amy, peered beyond the line of +sand dunes. + +"No one in sight," she muttered, beckoning the others to advance. + +"But what gets me is where the other two are," growled Pete who, with +Jake, was carrying Betty. "There's four of 'em, and they've always been +together ever since they come down here. Where are the other two? That's +what I'd like to know." + +Betty shuddered as she thought of Mollie and Grace sleeping in the +little clump of trees. Suppose these horrid men should go back there and +find them. It was horrible to contemplate. + +"Well, you've got half of 'em. That ought to be enough for what you +want," said Jake, hoarsely chuckling. + +Betty was puzzling her brains, trying to think why she and Amy had been +thus captured. What object had the old fisherman and, too, why had the +old crone been so eager to get them to her hut? Betty could only guess. +Her head ached. She felt really ill, and could not doubt but that poor +Amy was in like condition. + +A few seconds later they were both carried into the hut, and set in +rickety chairs. Their bonds were not removed, and the door was closed +and locked. Amy looked over at Betty, and the latter could see that her +chum's eyes were filled with tears. + +Then, suddenly, Amy seemed to collapse. She slipped from the chair to +the floor. + +"Now what's up?" roughly demanded Pete. "I wish I'd never gone into this +girl business, anyhow--it's so uncertain. What's happened?" and he +looked at the limp form of Amy on the floor. + +Betty tried to rise, but sank back dizzily. The room seemed to become +suddenly dark. She feared she would topple over as Amy had done. + +"It's only a faint, the poor dear," chuckled the old woman. "I'll attend +to her. You go out and get the boat ready," she told the two men. + +Betty's brain became clearer. There was no longer blackness before her +eyes. + +"Here, drink this," said the woman, raising Amy by her shoulders, and +holding a glass of water to her lips. The gag had been removed. Amy +drank and a little color came into her face. + +"Where--where am I? What happened?" she faltered. + +"Nothing, dearie," said the hoarse voice of the crone. "You'll be all +right soon. You're just going to stay with me a little while--you and +your friend. You won't suffer a bit of harm, if you tell us what we want +to know. You'll be well taken care of." + +Betty began to see a light now. She wished the gag might be taken from +her lips, and water given her, but the old woman was busy with Amy. The +girl closed her eyes again, and seemed too weak to cry out, even though +the rag was not again bound across her lips. + +There sounded voices outside the cabin, and a knock on the door. + +"Drat 'em," muttered the old woman. "A body would need four hands to +attend to all that's to be done." + +She laid Amy back on the floor, and hobbled across the room to unbar the +door. Betty was frantically struggling to loosen the bonds that held +her hands behind her back. + +"The boat's ready," gruffly said Jake, as he and Pete were admitted to +the shack. + +"That's good," muttered the old crone. "We can take care of 'em easier +when we get 'em out of here. We don't care if they do yell then. Wait +until I tie up this one's mouth. She may rouse up enough to make a +racket." + +Poor, half-senseless Amy was again gagged. Betty had given up trying to +loosen her bonds. Those men knew how to tie knots. + +And then, as before, Betty was carried down to the shore and placed in a +boat. Amy was brought down on the shoulders of the old woman, who also +got in the boat with the captured girls. + +"Now row out," she ordered the man. They were on the bay side, where +there was no surf, so the boat was easily pushed out. The men leaped in +and began pulling on the long oars. Betty could see them heading for the +mysterious schooner, and, a little later she and Amy were lifted on +board that vessel. + +"Up anchor!" came the command from some one, and, an instant later, the +vessel was in motion. + +Poor Betty wished she could do as Amy had done, and faint. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE SEARCH + + +Grace Ford slowly opened her eyes. Grace seldom did anything in a hurry, +not even awakening, and on this occasion, after the little doze that hot +summer day, in the grove by the seashore, she was even more dilatory +than usual in bringing all her faculties into play. + +Lazily enough she glanced over at Mollie, who was still asleep. Grace +felt a little sense of elation that she was awake before her friend. She +did not look around for Betty or Amy, but, picking up a small pebble, +tossed it in Mollie's direction. + +Straight and true it went, alighting on the sleeper's nose, which, in +spite of the assurance of her friends, Mollie felt was always likely to +be classed as "slightly pug." + +"Score one for me!" laughed Grace, still lazily, as Mollie sat up with a +start. There was nothing slow about Mollie, waking or sleeping. + +"What is it? Oh, you! Did you throw that?" she asked, rubbing her nose, +on which a little red spot had been raised. Feeling a sting there Mollie +opened her bag and gave a hasty glance at the little mirror hidden in +one flap. + +"You mean thing!" she cried. "And you know how sensitive my skin is!" By +this time Mollie had glanced around her, something which Grace had not +yet done. + +"Why--why," Mollie exclaimed. "Where is Betty--and Amy?" + +"Oh, probably off somewhere indulging in athletic stunts for fear +they'll lose their figures on account of eating so much lunch," remarked +Grace, reaching out her hand toward a box that had held some chocolate +almonds. + +"But they're not in sight!" declared Mollie. She rose to her feet, and +glanced rapidly up and down the beach. "I can't see them anywhere," she +went on. "They--could they have gone back and left us sleeping here?" + +"Well, we certainly _were_ sleeping," admitted Grace, with a smile that +was lazy--like her drawling words. + +"Oh, do be sensible--for once!" exclaimed Mollie, and her tones had a +snap to them that made Grace sit up and fairly gasp. + +"Why, whatever is the matter, Billy?" she asked in aggrieved accents. +"I haven't done anything. And just because Betty and Amy aren't +here----" + +"That's just it--where are they?" asked Mollie, sharply. + +"How should I know?" returned Grace, determined not to be conciliated so +easily. "They went off for a walk while we were asleep, I suppose." + +"Yes, but unless they went a long distance we ought to be able to see +them," Mollie went on. "And they're not in sight--you can see for +yourself." + +"If they're not in sight I _can't_ see, Mollie dear," spoke Grace, this +time soothingly. + +"Oh, do be sensible!" snapped the other. "Stop eating that silly candy, +and help me gather up some of these things. I--I wonder what could have +happened?" + +The manner in which Mollie said this startled Grace as perhaps nothing +else could have done. + +"Help me up," she begged. "This skirt is so narrow. Oh, Mollie, do you +think----" and she paused with frightened eyes, gazing into the more +determined ones of her chum. + +"I don't know that I think anything--just now," replied Mollie, in +rather gentler tones. "I'm afraid I was a bit cross, Grace, but you +know, dear it is----" + +"A _bit_ cross! You were positively--horrid. But I forgive you." + +"I'm always cross when I wake up suddenly," explained Mollie. "You +shouldn't have hit me on the nose, Grace." + +"I wouldn't have, had I known you were such a--er--what animal is it +that has such a sensitive nose, Mollie?" + +"Bear, I guess you mean," Mollie admitted. + +"Yes, that's it. Oh, but I did have a nice sleep!" and Grace lazily +stretched first one arm and then the other. "But where are Betty and Amy +keeping themselves?" she asked. + +"That's just what I've been trying to get you to realize," said Mollie. +"It's rather strange of them to go so far away." + +"Oh, probably Betty wants to get some more shells for those string +portiers she is making," Grace said. "Come on, we'll walk down the beach +a little way ourselves." + +Mollie assented and the two were soon strolling down the strand, looking +in advance for a sight of their chums. + +But the seashore was deserted, save for the presence of some birds that +swooped down now and then to snap up the hopping white insects which +made such queer little burrows down in the sand. + +A few hundred feet beyond the little grove where the picnic had been +held, Mollie and Grace came to a pause. + +"I don't see them," Mollie said, and her voice was troubled. + +"Nor I," conceded Grace. "Do you suppose they can be hiding to play a +joke on us?" + +"They might," Mollie admitted. "But they would hardly go so far away." + +"Let's look on the other side," proposed Grace. But that beach, of the +little arm of land that jutted out into the bay and ocean, showed no +sight of Betty and Amy. + +"Oh, I--I'm getting--worried," returned practical Mollie. "Nothing could +have happened, unless one of them sprained her ankle, or something like +that, and can't walk. Even then the beach is so open, and there isn't a +place on it that one need fear----" + +"Unless it's that old fisherman's hut," broke in Grace. + +"Oh," observed Mollie, slowly, and there came a change over her face. "I +didn't think of that. Yes, they might----" + +She was interrupted by a shrill whistle, as if of some boat. Both girls +turned quickly, and the same exclamation came to the lips of both. + +"The boys!" + +It was the _Pocohontas_ approaching, and Allen, Roy and Henry waved +their hands as they came on swiftly over the blue waters. + +"Are they in the boat?" asked Grace. + +"Who?" Mollie wanted to know. + +"Betty and Amy." + +"Why, how could they be?" + +"I thought perhaps the boys might have come up while we were asleep, +taken Betty and Amy out for a little run, and were now coming back, to +laugh at us for being so lazy." + +"Well, they're not in the motor boat, anyhow," Mollie said. "I do hope +nothing has happened." + +Grace did not ask what might possibly have happened. She was just a +little afraid of what her chum might say. The sprained ankle theory was +too simple. Somehow Grace felt a growing concern. + +But, for the present, at least, this was lost sight of in the little +excitement over the advent of the boys. They came on, laughing, singing +and shouting, while Roy held up a string of fish. Evidently they had had +good luck. + +The motor boat grounded gently in the shallow water and the boys jumped +out, Allen tossing out a light anchor high up on the sand. + +"We came to take you home," he announced. "We thought you'd have enough +of picnic by this time. Where's Betty?" he asked, quite frankly. Allen +was not at all fussy about showing his admiration for the Little +Captain. + +"Why, it's queer," Mollie replied, smiling just the least bit, "but she +and Amy seem to have gone off by themselves. Grace and I dozed, and when +we awoke they were gone." + +"Probably down the beach," suggested Roy. "How's that for fish?" and he +held up the string. But Mollie and Grace were not interested in fish +just then. + +"We've been looking for them," Mollie went on. "We were looking +when--when you came." + +Something in her words and manner caused Allen to ask quickly: + +"You--you don't think anything could have happened; do you?" + +"I--I don't know what to think," Mollie faltered. "It seems--a little +strange." + +"Oh, we'll find them," declared Henry. "Amy isn't one to go far." + +"But Betty is a great walker," Grace ventured. + +"Well, we'll find them and all go back in the boat," proposed Allen. "It +looks as though we might have a thunder shower. That's why we gave up +fishing. Come on, have a look." + +It did not take a very long search up and down the beach to disclose +the fact that Amy and Betty were nowhere near. The little clump of trees +held no hiding place, and unless they had gone inland there was no other +explanation except that they had gone back to the cottage. + +"And this they would hardly do," said Mollie. "Unless something had +happened. Maybe----" + +"What?" asked Roy, as she stopped suddenly. + +"Oh, nothing," she said in some confusion. "Nothing at all." + +"They may have gone over to that fisherman's hut, just to see what it +was like," Mollie said. "You know the old woman was always teasing us to +come in and have some milk. She may have been more persuasive this time, +though Betty couldn't bear her." + +"We'll have a look in that direction," suggested Henry. + +"Yes, for I don't just like the looks of the weather," added Allen. +"Henry and I will go over there," he said. "Roy, you stay here with the +girls and help them pack up the things. We may have to make a run for it +when we come back with Betty and Amy." + +"If you find them," said Mollie, in a low voice--so low that no one +heard her. + +Allen and Henry set off over toward the sand dunes behind which was +hidden the fisherman's shack. Grace, Mollie and Roy began collecting +the picnic things. + +The young law student and his chum made good time. Nor did they waste +any when they reached the lone cabin. A glance up and down the beach +showed no trace of the missing ones. In the offing a schooner was slowly +sailing away. + +"There goes that boat," remarked Allen. "Didn't seem to have any +business around here--neither clamming or fishing." + +"That's right," agreed Henry. He knocked, and, after waiting a moment, +tried the latch. The door swung open, showing the place to be deserted. + +"Betty--Amy!" called Allen. + +There was no answer. Then with a quick motion Henry darted forward and +picked up something from the floor. It was a handkerchief. + +"It's my sister's," he said. "They--they've been here!" + +He and Allen looked at each other strangely. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +SMUGGLED DIAMONDS + + +Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway. Her sails creaked and +groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains +squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel. There was a rattle of +blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the +cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the +mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries +it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away. + +There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up +the bay toward the more open water. + +"There you are, my dear," leered the fishwife. "All nice and snug and +comfortable." + +"Oh--oh!" gasped Betty, as the creature stretched out her hands toward +her. "Don't--don't you dare touch me!" + +"Jest goin' to take the ropes off your pretty hands, dearie," was the +smirking answer. "You don't need them now. You can't run away, you know. +Tee-hee!" and she tittered in glee. + +Betty felt it better to submit to the ministrations of the crone, for +the sake of being released from the bonds, which hurt her cruelly. For +they had been pulled tight by the fishermen. It was some time after the +ropes were taken off her ankles and wrists before Betty felt the blood +circulating normally. + +Amy lay inert on the rude bunk where she had been placed. Betty noticed +there were sleeping accommodations for three in the place, and with a +shudder she wondered if the old woman was to be their companion on the +voyage that seemed to have begun. For the schooner was pitching and +tossing on a ground swell, that seemed to presage a change of weather. + +"Oh--oh, Betty! What has happened?" faltered Amy, as she opened her +eyes. The cloth had been removed from her mouth and the ropes loosed. +Having done this much the old woman crouched on the third bunk, smiling, +muttering to herself, and looking from one girl to the other. + +"Oh, Betty--what does it mean?" repeated Amy. + +"I don't know, but I'm going to find out soon," declared the Little +Captain, with a return of her usual courage. She felt better now that +she had the use of her arms and legs. She started toward the door. + +"It's locked--on the outside, my dearie!" chuckled the old woman. "And +it won't be opened until I call to 'em. So there's no use in makin' a +fuss, my dear!" + +"Stop your senseless talk!" snapped Betty. "Don't dare call me by that +name, you--you horrid creature." + +"No use gettin' mad," said the crone, and she showed a change of temper. +"You're here, and you're goin' to stay until we put you on shore, so you +might as well make up your mind to that." + +"We demand to be put on shore at once!" cried Betty. "Evidently you +and--and those with you have made some mistake. We will not make trouble +for you, if you set us ashore at once. If not----" + +"Well, what will you do, dearie?" sneered the old woman. + +"My father will deal with such as you!" declared Betty, her eyes +flashing. "You must put us ashore." + +"The men will have to attend to that," the crone said. "One of 'em will +be here pretty soon, and you'd better answer 'em fair, or it may be the +worse for you." + +Her tone was fierce now. + +"Oh--oh, I--I feel faint," gasped Amy. "It is so close in here----" + +"Get her some water," ordered Betty, authoritatively. + +"It's right here," said the old woman. "I thought you'd want a drink. +And you can have somethin' to eat as soon as you like. It sha'n't be +said we starved you." + +"Eat! I couldn't bear the sight of food!" said Betty, with a shudder. +"Here, Amy, drink this. It seems to be--clean!" and Betty tried to +express the contempt she felt for the slovenly appearance of the old +woman. + +Fortunately the water did seem to be drinkable, and it was quite cold, +as though it had been on ice. Both girls drank gratefully, for their +mouths were parched and dry. + +"Are you better?" asked Betty, smoothing back the hair of her chum. + +"Oh, yes, much. But, Betty dear, what does it all mean? Why are we here? +I--I seem to be in a sort of daze." + +"I feel that way myself. I don't know what has happened, Amy, except +that we were kidnapped, and brought to this schooner." + +"Kidnapped? Oh, no, my dear!" interrupted the old woman. "We only want +you to tell us something, and as soon as you do that you can go where +you please." + +"Tell you? Tell you what?" demanded Betty, though she felt she could +answer that question herself. + +"I don't rightly know what it is, my pretty!" protested the crone with +an evil glance. "My man will be here pretty soon and tell you. He has to +get the sails up, and all of that, first." + +The creaking of pulleys on the deck told that the operation of getting +the schooner under way was not yet completed. There was a regular swing +to the vessel now, however, that told she was getting into more open +water. Fortunately both the outdoor girls were good sailors. + +The old woman was putting back in a box the bottle of water and the tin +cup from which she had given Amy and Betty to drink. For a moment her +back was turned, and Betty decided on a bold move. + +Quickly she darted over toward the door, and pulled with fierce strength +on the knob. It resisted her efforts. The old woman turned with a +mocking smile on her wrinkled face. + +"I told you it was locked," she jeered. "It won't be opened until I +knock in a certain way. I'll do it soon, for we must be getting pretty +well out." + +She peered through a dirty round window that gave light to the cabin, +which seemed to be located in the after part of the schooner, though +neither Betty nor Amy had noticed to which part they had been taken. + +"I demand that you let us out of here!" cried Betty, stamping her foot. + +She looked around as though for some weapon with which to enforce her +orders, and the woman evidently guessed this, for she chuckled grimly. + +"You can't have your own way here," she said, with a grin that showed +her almost toothless gums. "My man is captain of this boat, and out at +sea, you know, the captain has to be obeyed." + +"Oh, are you going to take us out to sea?" gasped Amy. "Please don't! +I'll do anything if you will release us. See, I have money," and she +brought out a little gold purse from a skirt pocket. At the sight of the +gleaming metal the crone's eyes glittered. + +"Don't be afraid," she said. "You won't be harmed. All we want to know +is----" + +A knock interrupted her. She glided quickly between Betty and Amy and +the door was opened a crack. Betty had a wild idea of forcing her way +out, but she had a glimpse of two rough looking men through the opening, +and she dared not approach. There was a whispered talk between the old +woman and one of the men. + +Then, in an instant the old crone slipped out, and the door was locked +again, leaving Betty and Amy alone in the cabin. + +"Oh--oh!" cried Amy, and a moment later she was sobbing in the strong +arms of Betty. + +Meanwhile Allen and Henry had come out from the fisherman's cottage, +having satisfied themselves, by a quick search, that no one was in the +upper story, or down in the cellar. + +"They were here, though," Allen said. + +"Yes, my sister's handkerchief proves that," agreed his chum. "Now we +must go back to the others." + +"But Grace and Mollie will have a fit when they know we haven't found +Betty and Amy." + +"It can't be helped. There has been some mix-up somewhere. I have an +idea, but I won't spring it now. Come on." + +They hurried back to where the motor boat had been left. + +"Were they there?" asked Grace, eagerly. + +"Yes, they--_were_," said Allen, slowly. "But they've gone home." + +"How do you know that?" asked Henry in a low voice. + +"I don't know it!" came the reply in a whisper. "But we've got to +pretend that until we find it isn't so. I'm hoping it is, though. You +see," he went on, aloud, "we found they had been there. Amy dropped her +handkerchief." + +"But where are they now?" demanded Mollie. + +"They probably hurried back to the cottage." + +"But without coming to tell us?" objected Grace. + +"They probably had no time," said Allen. "My idea is," he went on, +speaking rapidly so he would not be interrupted, "that they got some +news about the diamonds, and had to act on it quickly. I think that is +why they didn't wait to tell you girls. They knew if they didn't come +back that you would know enough to come home, or they may have planned +to return to you later." + +"What had we better do?" asked Grace. + +"Get back to Edgemere as soon as we can," was Allen's opinion. "We'll +probably find them waiting for us." + +They piled into the motor boat, and used all speed in getting back. No +sooner had they reached the little dock, where Tin-Back tied his boats, +than Will Ford came racing down from the cottage. + +"I thought you would never come back!" he cried, his face showing +excitement. + +"Why, have you found them? Are they here?" asked his sister, wondering +why her brother had returned from Boston. + +"Here? Of course they're here!" he answered. "Where else would they be. +And I've found them." + +"I don't see how----" began Allen. + +"Oh, it wasn't easy, I assure you. I had to work on a lot of clues. But +I came out all right. I've found out all about 'em. Those diamonds were +smuggled, and there's a good reward offered for the capture of the men, +as well as something due for turning the diamonds over to Uncle Sam." + +"The diamonds!" cried Mollie. + +"Yes. I've found out their secret!" Will said. + +"We--we thought you meant you had found Betty and Amy," returned Grace, +in a strange voice. "They--they're lost! They're gone!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +TO THE RESCUE + + +"What gone? Not the diamonds!" cried Will, hopping about, first on one +foot, and then the other. "Don't tell me those sparklers are gone, after +all the trouble I've had on this case--and it's my first, too! That's a +shame! How did it happen." + +"Oh, you and your diamonds!" cried Allen. "It's the girls who are +missing! Don't you understand? The girls!" + +"I don't understand," replied Will. "What's the game?" + +"And Betty and Amy are not up at the cottage?" asked Mollie. + +Will shook his head. + +"I just came down from Boston," he said. "I was told you were all +out--the boys fishing and the girls on a picnic. I could hardly wait +until you came back to tell you the news. But you've knocked my feet +from under me." + +"Oh, it's just terrible!" said Grace. "What will Mrs. Nelson say?" + +"Now look here!" exclaimed Allen, taking charge of matters in the +masterful way he had. "We've got to do something in a hurry. Of course +Mrs. Nelson will have to be told, but it may be all right after all. +Betty and Amy may have gone in to the village, to send a telegram, or +something like that." + +"What about?" asked Grace. + +"The diamonds, of course. They may have struck a clue. Now look here," +Allen went on quickly. "Will, as I understand it, you have found out to +whom those stones belong?" + +"Well, yes; that is, almost. There's been a big smuggling job, and those +diamonds are part of the loot, or swag----" + +"Such slang!" protested Grace. + +"Don't worry about slang at a time like this," said Mollie. "Go on, +Will." + +"No, we haven't time for all his story now," said Allen. "It is enough +for us to know that he has solved the mystery." + +"This much of it, at any rate," Will assented, "though I'm in the dark +yet about the missing girls. As I said, I've been working my government +position for all it's worth. There was a big smuggling job lately, and +they were keeping it quiet. These diamonds are undoubtedly part of it, +and now if I can only help get some of the men it sure will be a feather +in my cap--a whole ostrich plume, in fact." + +"Well, the rest of your story will keep," Allen remarked. "The next +thing is to trace the girls. Here's the story about them, Will," and he +rapidly told it as he had gathered it from Mollie and Grace. + +"At the fisherman's hut, eh?" mused Will. "I always thought he had a +hand in the affair. But where did the girls go from there?" + +"That's just what we don't know," Henry remarked. "I found Amy's +handkerchief in the cabin, or we wouldn't have known that much." + +"It's a bare chance that they may have gone to the telegraph office in +the village, to send a wire to Betty's father," said Allen. "We'll try +there before we raise an alarm." + +"But can we keep the news from Mrs. Nelson?" asked Mollie. + +"She isn't home," Will said. "She's out calling somewhere. I've been +keeping bachelor's hall at Edgemere ever since I came from the train. +The maids told me where you were." + +"We might stave off worrying Mrs. Nelson if one of us could get to town +and back before she returned," said Allen. "Of course if the girls +haven't been there we'll have to come out with the whole story." + +"If we only could get to the village in a rush," said Mollie. + +"An auto!" exclaimed Grace. + +"There isn't one near enough----" began Will, when Grace cried: + +"Percy Falconer! There he comes!" + +The Deepdale johnny was coming down the road in his powerful machine. +With all his faults he had the car in his favor, though he was not a +skilled driver, and seldom could get anyone to venture out with him. + +"Hey, Percy! You're just in time!" + +"Over here!" + +"This way!" + +"Got to get to town in a hurry!" + +Thus called the boys and girls to him, and it is doubtful if Percy +Falconer ever received such a warm welcome before, or since. + +"Just the one we want to see," said Allen, getting into the car with +Will. "We are in a hurry to get to the telegraph office." + +"Some one ill?" asked Percy, looking at his wrist watch. + +"No, but there may be if we don't hustle," Allen said. "To the telegraph +office as fast as you can make it, Percy boy." + +"And let Allen drive, if you don't mind, old man," put in Grace's +brother. "You must be tired, and we don't want to be ditched." + +"Oh, all right, of course. If you're in a rush," agreed Percy, +good-naturedly, and he found a warmer place in the hearts of those who +had hitherto cared little for him. + +"After all, Percy isn't such a bad sort," remarked Roy, as he walked +with Grace and Mollie up the drive leading to Edgemere. + +"He came in very useful to-day, at all events," Mollie agreed. "I think +I shall teach him that new aeroplane whirl in the hesitation he is so +anxious to learn." + +"Oh, a dance!" acclaimed Grace. "I'm just dying for one." + +"There won't be any--if we don't find Betty," said Mollie, seriously +enough. + +"Oh, we'll find them!" declared Roy. + +"I hope Mrs. Nelson stays away until--well, until the scare is either +over, or until we have something to go on, in case--in case they are +lost," commented Grace. + +Betty's mother had not returned home when the auto, driven at break-neck +speed by Allen, swung down the road again. + +"What news?" asked Mollie, as the echo of the screeching brakes died +away. But there was no need to ask. A look at the faces of Allen and +Will told her what she wanted to know. + +"They weren't there, and hadn't been," said Allen, slowly. + +"Oh, but I say! What's it all about?" asked Percy. + +"You'll know soon enough," Will answered in a low voice. + +As they stood on the porch, a much-worried group of young people, Mrs. +Nelson came back from her call. + +There was no need for her to ask if anything was the matter. A glance +told her that. But she met the emergency bravely. The girls told their +story first--how they had awakened to find Betty and Amy gone. Then +Henry told of finding the handkerchief in the hut, and lastly Will +explained how he had found out that the diamonds were the booty of a +smuggling plot. + +"Well, we must get right to work," said Mrs. Nelson, and she proved +herself a worthy mother of a worthy daughter. "I am sure nothing serious +could have happened--no drowning, or anything like that. The only other +explanation is, I think, along the lines suggested by Allen. + +"Their disappearance must have something to do with the diamonds. It is +possible they are following some suspect, and have had no chance to +send back word. In that case they are all right. But we must search for +them, and begin at the fisherman's shanty. + +"We must also telegraph for Mr. Nelson. I'll go to town and do that. +I'll also try to get him on the long distance telephone. Now, let me +see. Some of you will come with me, others will go to the fisherman's +cabin, and others will start a search along the beach, and notify the +life saving station. We must neglect nothing." + +"Isn't she splendid?" asked Grace of Mollie. "I feel better already." + +"So do I." + +There was a hasty consultation, and three parties were made up. Percy +offered the use of his car, and Allen elected to go in it with Mrs. +Nelson, to town. The others would go to the fisherman's shack and to the +life saving station, though at this time of year there was only one man +on duty. But he would know how to organize a corps of fishermen and +clammers to make a search, if needed. + +Mrs. Nelson returned from the village, after sending a telegraph +message. She was unable to communicate with her husband by telephone. + +"We had best follow them to the fisherman's cabin," said Allen. "That +will be a sort of rallying point." + +There they found all the young folks gathered, those who had been +assigned the task of going to the life saving station having +accomplished their errand, bringing back the message that soon a body of +hardy men would be patrolling both beaches. + +But it was Tin-Back who gave the real clue. He came up as they were +making a second examination of the cabin, to discover some other +evidence of the former presence of Betty and Amy there. + +"The girls missin'!" exclaimed the old crabber. "Wa'al, there's only one +place t' look fer 'em!" + +"Where's that?" asked Mrs. Nelson. "Not--not----" + +"No'm, they're not drowned, don't fear that, mum," said Tin-Back, with +ready perception. "Nothin' like that could happen. They're off--there!" + +He waved his hand toward where the mysterious schooner had been +anchored. + +"What makes you think so?" asked Allen, after the crabber had spoken of +his belief, and mentioned the absence of the schooner as evidence. + +"Because that vessel has been hanging around here on purpose to work off +some such scheme as that! Take my word for it, the girls are aboard +her. Pete and his woman Mag haven't gone off together for nothin'. The +girls are on the _Spud_, and bad luck to her for a sneaky craft!" + +"There's no time to lose!" he went on. "We've got to take after 'em, and +locate her before nightfall. We need a fast boat----" + +"The _Pocohontas_ is in good trim!" interrupted Allen. + +"The very thing!" cried Tin-Back. "Hurray! This is like old times! I'm +with you!" and he clapped his hand on his thigh with a report like a +pistol shot. "To the rescue!" he cried. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +ALL'S WELL--CONCLUSION + + +"All aboard!" + +It was the tense voice of Allen Washburn calling, as he and his chums +clambered aboard the _Pocohontas_. There had been a hurried filling of +the gasoline and oil tanks after the suggestion offered by Tin-Back, +that the disappearance of the mysterious schooner was coincident with +the disappearance of the girls. + +"If she only will run," ventured Roy, who was in charge of the motor. + +"She's _got_ to run!" declared Allen, fiercely. Not all of the party +went in the motor boat. Mrs. Nelson did not feel equal to the task, but +Mollie said she would go, for her girl chums might need her in case they +were found. + +Tin-Back went, of course, with Henry, Allen and Roy. Will volunteered to +stay with Mrs. Nelson and Grace. At first he had begged to be taken +along, but some one had to stay to be the "man of the house," and I +think, after all, Will wanted to get another look at the diamonds, in +which he now had so strong and growing an interest. + +"Let her go!" cried Allen, and the motor boat glided away from the +little dock. It was late afternoon, and while the threatened storm had +held off, the daylight was fast fading. + +Fortunately they had a clue as to the direction the schooner had taken +after leaving her anchorage. The man at the life saving station had +observed her beating out on a long tack. He had noticed her through a +glass, but had taken no note of any girls that might have been put +aboard. But the wind was now quite strong, and the schooner would hardly +sail against it. So our friends had a certain fairly sure direction to +follow. + +Will and Mrs. Nelson, with Grace and Percy, went back to the cottage. +Their first care was to see that the diamonds were safe, and this was +soon ascertained to be the case. + +Meanwhile the motor boat had taken up the search. Driven at top speed, +and with the engine "doing its prettiest," as Roy boasted, they made +good time. In and out they went, over the course, now and then pausing +to speak some clammer, but getting no information, save in one or two +instances. But they learned enough to know that they were on the right +track. + +"Are you going to cruise all night," asked Mollie. + +"No, unfortunately we'll have to turn back at dark," Allen said. "That +is why I want to cover as much water as possible before all the light is +gone." + +They chased after one or two schooners, but without result, until, just +as the last light of a threatening day was fading, Tin-Back startled +them all by leaping up and shouting: + +"Sail, ho!" + +"Where away?" demanded Allen, in true nautical fashion. + +"Dead ahead. There she is or I'm a candidate for Davy Jones's locker! +Put after her, boys!" + +It was comparatively easy, for the wind had died out--the calm before a +storm, and as the schooner had no "kicker," or small gasoline engine, as +had some of the clammers, she was soon overhauled. + +That she was at least the one which had been anchored out in the bay was +evident, for Tin-Back recognized her at once. Also it was evident that +no visitors were desired, for, as the _Pocohontas_ came up alongside the +almost motionless sailing craft, an ugly face looked over the low rail, +and a gruff voice cried: + +"That'll do, now. Keep off or you'll get into trouble! What do you want, +anyhow?" + +"You know well enough what we want!" cried Allen. "Up on deck, boys! +We've got 'em just where we want 'em. There's your man, officer!" he +called. It was pure "bluff," but it seemed to have its effect, for the +man who had given the warning drew back. + +"What is it?" demanded some one else, coming up out of the cabin. + +"Oh, some fresh guys----" + +"Come on, fellows!" Allen called loudly. He had leaped out on the +forward deck of the motor boat. Mollie had been urged to stay in the +little cabin, and did so. But it was evident there was to be no serious +trouble--at least just yet. + +"Come on!" cried Tin-Back, and at the sound of his resolute voice there +was a surprised exclamation from the group of men on the schooner's +deck. + +"All aboard!" yelled the old clammer. "We've got 'em where we want 'em! +Close-hauled! We'll holystone 'em an' slush 'em with hot tar if they +give any trouble! Come on!" + +Another instant and, despite his age and the crippling effects of +rheumatism caused by exposure in all sorts of weather, Tin-Back had +leaped to the schooner's deck. He was followed by Roy, Allen and a +couple of sturdy fishermen, who had been picked up on the beach. + +"Now, then, what do you fellows want?" demanded Pete, who was recognized +as the fisherman of the lonely cabin. + +"You know well enough what we want!" answered Allen resolutely. "The two +young ladies you have on board here." + +"There's nobody here," was the surly denial. + +"I tell you there are!" + +"You----" + +There came a shrill scream from somewhere below decks, followed by an +exclamation in a woman's voice. + +"They're loose! They're loose. Pete--Jake--I--I----" + +The men of the schooner uttered surprised exclamations. + +"Come on!" cried Pete, leaping up. + +"Not so fast," interposed Tin-Back, stepping in front of the man who had +made a dash toward the cabin. "Wait a minute," and an extended foot +tripped Pete, who fell heavily to the deck. + +"We're coming!" shouted Allen, and, followed by Roy and Mollie, who by +this time had made her way to the deck of the schooner, they hurried +below. From behind a closed door came the sound of a struggle. + +"In here!" cried Allen, and he threw himself against the panels as +though he were stopping a rush on the football field. There was a +cracking of wood and a snapping of metal. The door burst open. + +In the cabin, struggling against the old crone, were Betty and Amy, +disheveled and almost hysterical, but otherwise safe and sound. + +"Allen!" gasped Betty, holding out her hands to him. He clasped them +warmly, and the old crone, seeing that the whole affair was over, slunk +off, whining something about meaning no harm to the "dearies"! + +"Just watch those fellows that they don't do any mischief," said Henry +to Tin-Back, when he had comforted his sister. + +"Oh, they won't do any harm. They know it's all up. Besides, I brought +this with me," and the clammer showed an ancient horse pistol, that, had +it been fired, would probably have worked more havoc to the marksman +than to the person aimed at. + +There were tears, hysterical laughter, and rapid-fire explanations--all, +seemingly, at once. + +"But you're safe!" cried Allen, who had both Betty's hands. Whether or +not it had been a continuous performance I cannot say. Probably it had. +Betty was a very nice girl. + +"Oh, yes, we're safe," she said, trying to control her voice. + +"But those awful men; that--that horrid woman!" gasped Amy. + +"You needn't worry about them any more," Allen assured her. "We'll see +that they get what's coming to them." + +Whether or not he would have been able to put this into operation is a +question. But unexpected help arrived. It would not have been easy for +the little force in the motor boat to cope with the larger crew of men +on the schooner. Besides, there were three girls to be considered, and, +though they were equal to most emergencies, both Betty and Amy were now +rather unnerved. + +There was a sharp whistle outside--a boat signal, evidently. + +"What's that?" asked Allen, who, with Henry, Roy and the girls, was in +the cabin, so recently a prison. + +"It's a revenue cutter," bawled Tin-Back down the hatchway. "They want +to know if we need help." + +"We'll take it, anyhow," chuckled Allen. He felt like laughing now. "But +how in the world did they come, and in the nick of time?" + +"Maybe Will sent them," suggested Mollie. "They may be down here after +the smugglers." + +And so it proved when Allen went up on deck and held a short talk with +an officer aboard the trim cutter, which had come to a stop alongside +the motor boat and drifting schooner. + +Will, left behind at the cottage with Mrs. Nelson and Grace, had +suddenly thought to send the cutter _Minoa_ to follow up the +_Pocohontas_. The government vessel had come down to Ocean View in view +of certain facts Will had given his chief in the Secret Service, but +Will had not expected to use the _Minoa_ in the chase. When he recalled +that she was but a short distance off shore, awaiting wireless +instructions, he rushed in Percy's auto to the telegraph office in town, +and got into communication with his chief, who was awaiting word from +him. + +It was but the matter of a few minutes to relay the instructions to the +cutter by wireless from Boston, and she started out to look for a small +motor boat chasing a suspicious schooner. She found both in the nick of +time. + +Explanations made, men from the revenue vessel boarded the sailing craft +and made her captain and crew prisoners, the old crone being among those +captured. She had tried to make off in the rowboat trailing at the +schooner's stern, but had been caught by Tin-Back. + +"No, you don't!" he cried. "We want you!" and the old lobsterman held +to her despite her struggles. + +There were more explanations, and then, as the storm showed signs of +breaking, the rescued girls and their friends set out for Ocean View in +the motor boat. The revenue officers remained in charge of the captured +schooner, and said they would see Will in the morning to complete the +case. + +"But what in the world did they want to capture you girls for?" asked +Roy, when they were all safe again in Edgemere. The rain was beating +against the windows, for they arrived just as the downpour began. + +"They thought to get the secret of the diamonds," declared Will. "I can +tell you that much. Though how they expected to do it I can't say." + +"But were those men who had us--and that horrid old woman--the +smugglers?" asked Amy. + +"No, only their tools," Will said. "In brief, the game was this: The box +of diamonds you found was smuggled from France. But before those +interested in bringing them over could make good they received word that +the customs officers in Boston were waiting for them. The government +agents abroad had sent word here to be on the lookout. + +"So the smugglers adopted a bold plan. They sent a message in cipher, by +the ship's wireless, when two or three days outside of Boston, to their +confederates, to have a boat waiting for them off this coast. That was +done, and one dark night the smugglers tossed overboard the box with the +diamonds concealed in the false bottom. It was fixed in a cork +arrangement, so it would float. This box was picked up, but before the +confederates could make away with it something happened. There was a +quarrel among the smugglers, I believe, and one gang hurried off and +buried the box here in the sand. + +"You girls came along just as that had been done, and though some of the +men wished to come back and take away the booty, others would not permit +this, thinking no chance comer would find it." + +"Those were the men we saw leaving in the boat," said Mollie. + +"Yes," assented Will. + +"And we did find the diamonds!" cried Grace. + +"Yes, and that made all the trouble--for the smugglers," went on Will. +"Of course they soon learned that the box was gone, and they guessed you +girls had taken it. Then they tried to get it back." + +"Those men in the cellar?" asked Betty. + +"Were part of the gang," declared Will. "And I learned that they found +the diamonds were in the cellar because a tramp hanging around for food +overheard us taking about them. He wasn't in with the smugglers then, +but later he joined them, giving this information. + +"But the plan to get the diamonds from the cellar failed, and they had +to do something else. That old woman and her fisherman husband were +delegated to capture one or more of you girls, and force you either to +tell where the diamonds were, or else they were going to hold you as a +ransom for them." + +"How terrible!" cried Grace. + +"But it's all over now," her brother said. "Now we have the diamonds, we +have the poor dupes of tools the smugglers bribed--the fisherman and the +men of the schooner--and it only remains to get the criminals +themselves. We'll do it, too." + +"Did they treat you badly?" asked Grace of Betty and Amy. + +"Badly enough," the Little Captain replied. "They would not tell us why +we were made prisoners. But after they had taken the gags from our +mouths, they put them on again, just before you came." + +"That was because they saw the motor boat after them and knew they +couldn't get away because of no wind," suggested Will. + +"We thought perhaps there was a pursuit," Amy said. "And then Betty grew +desperate and managed to attack the old woman." + +"But you helped," said Betty. + +"Oh, don't let's talk about it," exclaimed Grace. "All's well that ends +well." + +"But it isn't all ended yet," Will remarked, significantly. + +Working on the fears of their prisoners the government men learned where +the real smugglers were hiding, waiting for the success of their plot, +and they were arrested. In due time they were tried, found guilty and +sentenced to pay heavy fines on the charge of trying to defraud Uncle +Sam. On the charge of kidnapping the two girls the heavier punishment of +imprisonment was meted out to those involved. + +It developed that the smugglers, however, had protected themselves from +the graver charge. They had instructed the fishermen to get information +from the girls about the diamonds, in any way the ignorant men thought +best, and the kidnapping scheme was the product of the brains of the old +woman and her husband. They laid the plot to capture the girls, and +secured the help of several friends, hiring the schooner for their +purpose. When the schooner sailed away with Betty and Amy the old woman +and her husband expected to pick up the smugglers and let them force the +truth from the girls. But their plan was spoiled. + +The diamonds, of course, became the property of the government, and were +sold at auction, and on such favorable terms that each of the girls was +able to obtain one for herself. Will helped bring this about, for the +government was under obligation to him and his friends for recovering +the jewels and capturing the smugglers. The reward was evenly divided. + +"And I received a fine letter of thanks from my chief," said Will. "For +my first case he said it was a--corker!" + +"Oh, Will!" objected his sister. + +"Well, he meant that, if he didn't say it," was the answer. "And I'm +going to have a vacation which I'm going to spend down here if Betty +will let me." + +"Of course I will," she said. "We'll have jolly times!" + +And then began glorious days at Ocean View, days in which there was no +worriment about the packet of diamonds. Allen was allowed to keep the +mysterious box and the original of the cipher, but he was never able to +discover the meaning of it, nor who the enigmatical "B. B. B." was. + +It was practically certain, however, that "B. B. B." was the real head +of the smugglers, he who furnished the money and most of the brains. But +his confederates never betrayed him. The value of the diamonds was +several thousand dollars above Mr. Nelson's estimate. + +There followed vacation days of boating and bathing, with more picnics, +and Grace had all the chocolates she wanted--or at least all that were +good for her. Tin-Back came in for a share of the reward, and bought +himself, among other things, a new fish net. + +And, while the outdoor girls are enjoying life at beautiful Ocean View, +we will take leave of them. + + +THE END + + + + +THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE Author of "The Bobbsey Twins Series." + + * * * * * + +=12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING= + + * * * * * + +The adventures of Ruth and Alice DeVere. Their father, a widower, is an +actor who has taken up work for the "movies." Both girls wish to aid him +in his work and visit various localities to act in all sorts of +pictures. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS + Or First Appearance in Photo Dramas. + +Having lost his voice, the father of the girls goes into the movies and +the girls follow. Tells how many "parlor dramas" are filmed. + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT OAK FARM + Or Queer Happenings While Taking Rural Plays. + +Full of fun in the country, the haps and mishaps of taking film plays, +and giving an account of two unusual discoveries. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS SNOWBOUND + Or The Proof on the Film. + +A tale of winter adventures in the wilderness, showing how the +photo-play actors sometimes suffer. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS UNDER THE PALMS + Or Lost in the Wilds of Florida. + +How they went to the land of palms, played many parts in dramas before +the camera; were lost, and aided others who were also lost. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT ROCKY RANCH + Or Great Days Among the Cowboys. + +All who have ever seen moving pictures of the great West will want to +know just how they are made. This volume gives every detail and is full +of clean fun and excitement. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS AT SEA + Or a Pictured Shipwreck that Became Real. + +A thrilling account of the girls' experiences on the water. + + + THE MOVING PICTURE GIRLS IN WAR PLAYS + Or The Sham Battles at Oak Farm. + +The girls play important parts in big battle scenes and have plenty of +hard work along with considerable fun. + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS + +For Little Men and Women + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of "The Bunny Brown" Series, Etc. + + * * * * * + +=12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.= + + * * * * * + +Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Books that +charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire. Many +of the adventures are comical in the extreme, and all the accidents that +ordinarily happen to youthful personages happened to these many-sided +little mortals. Their haps and mishaps make decidedly entertaining +reading. + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL + +Telling how they go home from the seashore; went to school and were +promoted, and of their many trials and tribulations. + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE + +Telling of the winter holidays, and of the many fine times and +adventures the twins had at a winter lodge in the big woods. + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT + +Mr. Bobbsey obtains a houseboat, and the whole family go on a tour. + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK + +The young folks visit the farm again and have plenty of good times and +several adventures. + + +THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME + +The twins get into all sorts of trouble--and out again--also bring aid +to a poor family. + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS SERIES + +By VICTOR APPLETON + + * * * * * + +=12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.= + + * * * * * + +Moving pictures and photo plays are famous the world over, and in this +line of books the reader is given a full description of how the films +are made--the scenes of little dramas, indoors and out, trick pictures +to satisfy the curious, soul-stirring pictures of city affairs, life in +the Wild West, among the cowboys and Indians, thrilling rescues along +the seacoast, the daring of picture hunters in the jungle among savage +beasts, and the great risks run in picturing conditions in a land of +earthquakes. The volumes teem with adventures and will be found +interesting from first chapter to last. + + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS + Or Perils of a Great City Depicted. + + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE WEST + Or Taking Scenes Among the Cowboys and Indians. + + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS ON THE COAST + Or Showing the Perils of the Deep. + + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN THE JUNGLE + Or Stirring Times Among the Wild Animals. + + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS IN EARTHQUAKE LAND + Or Working Amid Many Perils. + + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AND THE FLOOD + Or Perilous Days on the Mississippi. + + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS AT PANAMA + Or Stirring Adventures Along the Great Canal. + + THE MOVING PICTURE BOYS UNDER THE SEA + Or The Treasure of the Lost Ship. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + + + +THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH SERIES + +By GRAHAM B. FORBES + +Never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than Frank Allen, +the hero of this series of boys' tales, and never was there a better +crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the School. All +boys will read these stories with deep interest. The rivalry between the +towns along the river was of the keenest, and plots and counterplots to +win the champions, at baseball, at football, at boat racing, at track +athletics, and at ice hockey, were without number. Any lad reading one +volume of this series will surely want the others. + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH + Or The All Around Rivals of the School + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE DIAMOND + Or Winning Out by Pluck + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE RIVER + Or The Boat Race Plot that Failed + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE GRIDIRON + Or The Struggle for the Silver Cup + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH ON THE ICE + Or Out for the Hockey Championship + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN TRACK ATHLETICS + Or A Long Run that Won + + THE BOYS OF COLUMBIA HIGH IN WINTER SPORTS + Or Stirring Doings on Skates and Iceboats + +=12mo. Illustrated. Handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design and +wrappers in colors.= + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Frontispiece caption, "Molly" changed to "Mollie". (MOLLY BROUGHT UP) + +Page 13, "Molly" changed to "Mollie". (when Mollie became) + +Page 58, "they" changed to "she". (as she turned) + +Page 124, "claming" changed to "clamming". (fleet of clamming boats) + +Page 142, "On" changed to "Oh". (Oh, no, sir) + +Page 157, "Molly" changed to "Mollie". (yes," assented Mollie) + +Page 175, "themselvs" changed to "themselves". (Amy keeping themselves) + +Bobbsey Twins advertisement, word "on" added to text. (go on a tour) + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View, by Laura Lee Hope + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW *** + +***** This file should be named 19295.txt or 19295.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/9/2/9/19295/ + +Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Emmy and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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