Part 36 (2/2)

”Oh, Cora!” gasped Marita. ”Suppose they do----do something!”

”Which is very likely they will do,” replied Cora. ”But don't talk--I want to watch.”

From behind the screen of bushes Cora watched the men coming forward.

The moon still gave a good light, though it was declining in the west.

”Is he there?” Cora heard one of the men ask.

”He seems to be--there's a light going, anyhow,” was the answer. ”I'd rather found him in bed, but we can't have all we want.”

”Oh, where are the boys!” cried Bess, frantically. ”Why don't they come?”

”I don't know,” answered Cora. ”Surely they should have been here. But there must be a good reason why they are not. Jack wouldn't disappoint us.”

”Why don't you include Walter and the others?” asked Belle.

”Of course you know I meant them,” Cora retorted. ”I can't understand it--really I can't.”

”Perhaps they are in hiding,” ventured Lottie.

”They'd have been out before this, if they were,” declared Cora.

There came a sudden knock. It was one of the men striking on the door of Denny's cabin. From their hiding place in the bushes the girls heard it plainly.

”Listen!” whispered Cora.

They heard the voice of the old fisherman call:

”Who's there? What do you want at this time of night?”

”We've come to see you,” was answered in tones Cora recognized as those of the young man who had raced with her.

”What about?” inquired Denny. ”I have no fish to sell.”

”And we don't want fish,” was the retort. ”Come, Shane, open your door. We want to talk to you. It's important, and there may be something in it for you.”

”Yes--trouble, more or less. I can't see anything else,” was the grumbling response. ”Wait a minute.”

Cora looked over the bushes. She could see the men grouped in front of the cabin door. Then she saw it open, and a broad beam of light shoot out.

”Come in,” invited Denny, and the plotters entered.

”Now's our chance!” exclaimed Cora, her heart beating rapidly. ”We must see what those men do. We may have to give evidence.”

”Oh, dear!” sighed Marita. ”I never could do it. I'd faint, sure.”

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