"ANYWHERE you like, and the bottom, not the sky, is the limit." It was Neal, replying to the girls' request for a trip to the Point in the Treddie.
The party included Grace, Louise, Julia, Helen, Cleo, Isabel, Elizabeth and Corinne, the last named having run up from the Windward, to spend a few days with her school companions at Sea Crest.
"A regular excursion," said Elizabeth. "We should have brought eats."
"We may find them," suggested Neal, turning over his engine, whereat the Treddie chugged off.
"This may look like an excursion, girls," said Cleo, "but it feels like an expedition. I'm quivering with excitement."
"And I'm all goose flesh with apprehension," followed Louise. "How do we know what we are going to run into on Looney Land?"
"We don't. There would be no fun in it if we did," Grace told her. "I've come armed.If bears or lions howl at me they'll get ammonia from my tree," she rhymed, exhibiting Benny's water pistol.
"Spoof," Corinne exclaimed; "I thought we had wildterrorsup at Windward, but we haven't come across bears nor injuns. Wish I had brought my illegal sling shot that I only use in self defense."
"Treddie can tread," remarked Isabel. "Who was it walked on the water?"
"Ancient or modern?" flipped Louise. "I'm busy thinking of walking on air just now."
"Which way do you want to go first?" asked Neal, turning a little from his steering wheel.
"To the Point," called Cleo.
"Thought we were sure, positive, no mistake, going to Looney Land this time," grumbled Julia.
"So we are but we will stop off at the Point, and feel the lay of the land first. We may get a line on the wild animals, you know."
"I like motor boating even better than sail boating, and I thought the Blowell was perfect." This was Cleo's comment on the Treddie's trip, as the launch skimmed over the river and bay, rejoicing in every wave presented to her bow.
"We won't get stuck on a sand bar, at any rate," reflected Louise. "This boat has power enough to push itself off."
"But we could get engine troubles," Neal warned. "Although I don't anticipate any suchdisaster. Which one of you girls lives in the Gordon house?" he asked presently.
"I do," said Grace. "Don't tell me they are coming back for anything?"
"No, not just that," replied Neal; "but Dick Gordon is my chum. He has been out with a yachting party all summer, the Altons of New York, you know, and I had a line from his last port. He will be back in about a week. I'm awfully anxious to see him. We have great times always, but he got in service, through the Canadian lines, and I got—left, so I haven't seen Dick since."
"They took very young boys in the Canadian service just before the armistice I know," said Cleo, "for my seventeen-year-old brother ran over there, and got the 'wings' the day before Peace Day."
"Yes, that is how Dick made it," explained Neal. "But now he's getting back, a little late but mighty welcome."
"I suppose he will want a look at his old room," said Grace. "It is just as he left it, I believe."
"Yes, Dick has a hobby for sea stuff, and his marine room was his pride. But he won't bother you folks any; he isn't that sort," said Neal.
"Now Grazie," teased Elizabeth, "look out for your window."
"Rather I'll leave a love note on the sill, likethe lady-faire of old," retorted Grace. "At any rate he is apt to call on me."
"Here we are at the Point," called out Julia. "Don't fall overboard in landing."
"If you want to go in at the island, after you have looked around here, there is a perfect stone arch at the other end. I'll take you over that way, if you like. It's one of the prettiest spots around here," suggested Neal.
"Oh, yes, that will be splendid," Louise answered. "We have seen the island from two sides, and that must be at the extreme other end."
There was no visible apprehension expressed in the way the girls landed at the point, and if they experienced such emotion, it was thoroughly disguised, for as a troop they simply besieged the strip of land, with one grand, vigorous yell.
No Tenderfoots seemed included, but rather seasoned woodsmen; eager to climb, to beat down trails, "to confront the enemy" with open or closed fists—such daring indeed was manifested in their act of possession.
"I'm so glad we came in at this end," said Cleo. "With all that shouting the little woman at the ice cream stand might take fright and go. Then what would we do for eats?"
"Oh, there comes the carrier pigeon!" explained Grace. "Come on to the birches. See,he is going to land in there, same as he did before."
"Yes, that's Lovey," declared Cleo. "I'm so glad all the girls will have a chance to see him. Hurry, and don't make too much noise."
The graceful little gray dove was floating through the air, without a flutter of wing—just sailing on the breeze. Following Cleo's lead the girls made their way through the thicket, and presently were in the low, soft, velvety patch, the sort of maiden-hair grass that grows under the trees.
"Here we are," almost whispered Isabel, for the bird was about settled on a tuft of meadow grass.
"Oh, here's Kitty!" exclaimed Grace. "Kitty girl, what are you hiding from?"
And there, crouched at the foot of a tree was Kitty. She looked like nothing so much as a toad-stool, a bit of human fungus growth, at the foot of that gentle birch tree. Her knees drawn up, and bare feet hiding in her bedraggled gingham skirt, Kitty was truly a sorry looking figure.
"What is it?" asked Isabel. The girls had grouped themselves around in semi-circle, and even Lovey, the waiting messenger, was for the moment forgotten.
Kitty raised her head and confessed to a pair of very red eyes. Her lips were trembling and the little cords of her face twitching.
"I heard a racket, and thought she had sent them after me," stammered Kitty. "But it was only you," and just the glint of a smile played through her grief.
"Who was coming after you? Whom did you fear, Kitty? Tell us!" asked Louise, slipping down on the green, beside the crouching figure.
"Aunt Hannah. She came back from New York, and we didn't expect her. Somehow she found out about—about the accident, and she was furious."
"Your Aunt Hannah?" pressed Grace. The girls sensed tragedy now.
"Says she is, but she ain't, I'm going to ask Captain Dave for my papers and prove it." Kitty was recovering her courage, perhaps at the thought of battle.
Louise longed to throw her arms about the child and tell her that her precious papers were that very moment in the Hart family safe, but she knew the time had not come for the revelation.
"And she said she'd send them after me," moaned Kitty. "So I'm goin' to run away."
"Send whom after you?" followed Corinne.
"The reform school people, and I would be put behind bars for life." The sharp dark eyes gleamed until it seemed sparks would fly, but they were glints of pure terror, the girl was panic-stricken.
"Just don't you worry, Kitty. We'll stand by you, and you shall never be put in such a place," Julia assured her. "Have you forgotten Captain Dave?"
"No, but she is so much smarter than any one else. And I can't get off this Point without she sees me, and then she might send the police after me."
That the fearful threat had been held over poor Kitty's head was now easily guessed—perhaps this was why she had been so secretive about Luna Land?
"I'll run down to the dock and tell Neal to sail around the bay for a half hour," suggested Cleo. "Then, we can sit right down and talk things over with Kitty."
"And here is Lovey with a letter from Bentley," said Kitty, now turning to the pigeon that had been hopping about, and picking at invisible bugs. "Whatever would I have done without Bentley. Come, Lovey!"
Tame as a kitten the pigeon strutted up to Kitty's hand. She fondled it, gave it some crumbs from her pocket, then, from under the gray and white wing took the tiny quill that held the message.
Cleo had returned, and the girls looked on in wonder, while Kitty unrolled the little slip, and deciphered the message.
"Yes, she's over there yet, Bentley says.And Royal is crying for me." At this she threw up the tousled head and glared defiance.
"I'm going right back," she cried. "She shan't scare me off now. That's just what she wants to do. She wants to steal Royal away, but she shan't, she shan't!" and only a hold on Kitty's arm, made as the girls realized she was running off, held her for another moment.
"Who is Royal?" demanded Cleo. "Tell us! We must know."
"I can't tell you. I'm pledged not to, and don't you think I have to keep a pledge? Do I?" This last was almost an appeal.
"If it is a good pledge," answered Louise quickly.
"I don't know whether it is good or bad," said Kitty freeing herself, "but I know I must get to Royal."
"Can't we go with you?" asked Grace. "We are not afraid of any old Aunt Hannahs."
"Oh, no, no, please, not yet. That would be so much worse. I have to be so tricky to save Royal, and if she suspected me I would lose everything. Not that I care for her old hundred dollars now. I wouldn't even take it," she declared.
The girls were puzzled. Royal, it appeared, must be some child that Kitty was protecting, and this woman was holding a threatening club over Kitty's head.
"Are you positive we can't come right overthere and fight things out for you, Kitty?" asked Grace with a brave voice. "We have been waiting around here all summer for that sort of thing."
"No, no," wailed the child, now running toward the little skiff which lay under the willow at the water's edge. "I'll call you if I get in trouble. See that high rock over on the far side of the island? Well, you can see that all the way from Sea Crest, and if you see a lantern hanging in that tree to-night, come. If it's day-time I'll put a white flag up, and the wind will wave it, but I don't believe she'll make trouble just now. All I was afraid of was being put away, and now I see why she said that. She just wanted me to run away. But I shan't. I'll stay, and I'll take care of little Royal."
She was gone. Her oars lapped the waves and sent back their brave message as she turned into the cove that faced Luna Land.
"Well, of all things!" exclaimed Cleo.
"I expected you to say something a little more original," remarked Grace. "But I don't quite blame you. It is bewildering."
"And Royal!" repeated Helen. "Royal made our signs and played with the little tools!"
"And signed his name Peter Pan," recalled Louise.
"Why should Kitty be watching a child with such a swell name?" queried Julia.
"Why all the other things?" replied Elizabeth.
"There's Neal's toot. We must go," announced Isabel.
"I wish we could circle around the island," suggested Cleo. "No harm in that, surely. Every one goes as they please on the bay."
"Grand idea!" exclaimed Helen. "Maybe we could see into the island from the boat. Come on. Hope Neal has some more time to spare."
The owner of the Treddie was glad to circle the little isle, and when all had jumped in the launch, the trip home began with that preliminary dash.
"I'll slow down so you can get a good look," Neal told them, and he understood enough about the interest in Luna Land to do his part.
All eyes were strained toward the shore.
"There's the pretty, rocky ledge Neal told us about," remarked Isabel. "Just see! It's like a movie rock. What a pretty arch it forms."
But even the natural beauty of the rocky alcove did not furnish the point of interest they searched for.
"Would you imagine that place hid human life?" said Cleo, a little disappointed. "Not even a tree branch moves."
"Dense foliage," added Grace. "It would be pretty hard to see anything through those trees."
The launch was covering the last strip of water that lapped the island. Every one seemed tense with an anxious sort of interest.
Suddenly Helen jumped up.
"Look," she called. "Over by the arch!"
"The white duck lady!" cried Cleo. "See, she is looking at us through glasses."
"Sit down Helen," ordered Grace. "Don't pretend we are interested, or she will know this launch."
They were not far from the shore, and it was easy to discern the figure on the rock, who evidently used the glasses to make sure of the faces in the launch.
"Maybe she's looking for her wireless," said Isabel.
"Well, I am doubly sorry for Kitty if that's Aunt Hannah," declared Julia, and then the Treddie left Luna Land behind.
GRACE tapped at the side window of the Log Cabin; she had climbed over the little stile-steps that mounted the fence between Rosabell and Cleo's cottage, and now she waited at the window for a sign of life within, for it was early, and summer folks could sleep late. Her round dimpled face was pressed to the pane with a rather serious look, and anyone might know to see her, that Grace was troubled.
Cleo answered the call, throwing open the latticed window, and almost kissing Grace in the act.
"Come in, Grazia. Why so early? Looking for the story book worm?" Cleo greeted.
"I'm glad you are not out—on the lake I mean," answered Grace. "I'll come around to the side porch, Cleo, I must talk with you."
On the big swing made of interlaced white birchwood, the two chums perched, and Grace promptly undertook to unburden her mind.
"Cleo dear," she said, "I am so worriedabout Kitty. How do we know but that woman may have locked her up, or something?"
"Strange, Grazia, I have been thinking just that myself. But how are we to find out without jeopardizing Kitty's interests? She begged us not to go over there."
"I know, Cleo, but I have a plan. You and I can go to the Point. We will ask Tommie Johnston to row us over. He would not be busy so early, and a row boat doesn't make any noise. Then, we can go over to the island, and just feel our way around."
"Splendid," agreed Cleo. "I'll be ready in a jiffy. Are you ready?"
"Just have to tell Benny I'm going up the river," replied Grace. "We can easily be back in an hour."
Tommie Johnston could go, and was glad to give the girls a sail in his freshly-painted boat, but he wagged his head seriously when Cleo said she had a message for Kitty, and was going to take it straight over to the island.
"Miss Morehouse is over there," he said in warning, "I saw her sailin' around in her hospital clothes yesterday."
"We don't mind. Is she Aunt Hannah?" Cleo asked.
"Yes, that's the dame. Miss Hannah Morehouse, boss ofLooneyLand," replied Tommie, "and you've got a lot of nerve to trespass on her territory. She's mighty strict."
"We are going to try it," insisted Grace, whereat Tommie pulled harder than ever on his oars.
They stopped at the Point but everything was quiet there, if the wildest chirping of birds, and fluttering of all feathered creatures be overlooked. Before the human world moves birds seem happiest, and surely wildest, so that on the dewy summer morning, Grace and Cleo stepped onto the Point and into a perfect medley of bird language.
"No one around here," commented Cleo. "Don't let us waste time."
They hurried back to Tommie's boat, just in time to see a launch cut by. In it was the white duck woman, Miss Hannah Morehouse.
"There she goes," said Tommie, with abroad and noisy grin. "You're in luck."
"And we are glad of it," admitted Cleo, popping into the boat.
"Which side shall we land at?" asked the boat man, as they brushed the sandy shore.
"We don't know," answered Cleo. "Which way do you think is best? We would like to get on a quiet end, not near the cottages, if there are any?" said Grace.
"Don't know much about it," said Tommie. "But I guess the far end is best—over by the Cave of the Winds," he finished, pointing his boat toward the rocky arch on the far side of the little island.
The two scouts stepped cautiously ashore. That end of the island was banked with huge rocks that shot up almost straight, forming a natural fort, with the rugged, artistic arch at its base. Under the arch Grace and Cleo felt their way, and their attention was almost immediately arrested by a series of the pasteboard cards, signed "Peter Pan."
"Little Royal's work," said Grace quietly. "Wonder if we shall see him?"
Up from the rocks a sparkling little stream played.Itsorigin was a spring under a hill, and as it trickled along, in the tender growth of green, the girls felt instinctively the beauty of the little spot so hidden and isolated from the inhabitants of Sea Crest.
"Lovely!" breathed Cleo. "Little Royal could hardly be lonely here."
"Oh, yes, he could," contradicted Grace. "A child wants more than scenery to play with."
They had gone but a short distance in the woods when something was heard threshing through the bushes.
"It's he," said Cleo, and she secretly hoped no armed caretaker might appear with the child.
A sudden swish, then from under a tangled elderberry bush there emerged a darling little boy. At the sight of the intruders he stood stock still in evident amazement.
"Oh, I knew you would come!" he exclaimed, clapping his little hands in glee. "I knew myletters would reach you! What are your names, fairies? Please tell me, and are we going right now to Mama?"
"How do you do, little boy," said Cleo. "Are you Royal?"
"Yes, I'm Royal, and I know who you are. I've been expecting you a very long time."
He came forward a little hesitatingly. Grace could not resist rushing up to him and throwing her arms about the pretty child.
"Oh, you perfectly darling little boy," she exclaimed. "We know who you are, for Kitty has told us," and she hugged him quite indecorously for a fairy.
He was so pretty. His light hair cropped at his ears did not succeed in preventing curls to tangle and his blue eyes were roguish as even a baby boy's should be. With these unerring features his color reflected the outdoor treatment, and his little form evinced unmistakably that quality for which we have no better term than "good breeding."
Cleo stooped to pay her homage, and when Grace released Royal she caught him up.
"Why do you want to go to mama?" she asked. "Where is mama?"
"Oh, far away, and she cannot get back till the Royal comes in. Her boat is Royal too," he said proudly.
"And who takes care of you?" pressed Grace,keeping in mind the prospect of almost any interruptions spoiling this valued confidence.
"Kitty-dear does. There isHannah, of course, but I don't like her, and I do like Kitty-dear," he said, with a brave echo in his childish voice.
"And where do you live? Where is your house?" Cleo was peering through the trees, but could see no sign of anything like a dwelling.
"Oh, I haven't any house; I must live outdoors. Dr. Grant ordered it, and I must roll in the mud. But I get tired rolling, and there isn't any real mud here, except what Kitty-dear fetches in the boat. Then we make mud pies, and that's fun. But you are going to take me for a boat ride now, aren't you? I have wanted one for such a long time." His voice was wistful, and his blue eyes were fastened on the boat, that through the trees could be seen, rocking on the water's edge, where Tommie waited.
"Where is Kitty?" asked Cleo without answering the appeal for a long delayed boat ride.
"She's busy with Uncle Pete," replied Royal. "Hannah wants lots of things done when she comes, but sometimes she gives Kitty-dear money, then we have cookies, but we never dare tell Hannah, 'cause I'm not allowed cookies," he said with a cute twist of his yellow head. "But you are the fairies who took my letters, aren't you? I knew when they were gone fromtheir letter boxes on the birch trees, that I would surely get an answer! And see, I was right!"
"I think I hear Kitty coming," said Grace. "Yes, here she is."
"Well, I never," called Kitty gleefully. "Look who blew in!"
"Hello, Kitty," called back Cleo, delighted to notice the high spirits Kitty flaunted. "We just did blow in from the bay to make a very early call. Hope we haven't interrupted any gardening?" This applied to Kitty's outfit, for she wore blue overalls, and a boy's cap, that looked better on her cropped head than could any other sort of hat, and her bare feet completed a really charming rustic picture.
"Gardening, you said it!" exclaimed Kitty in pardonable slang. "That's what I have to do when 'her nibs' is in town. But thank goodness she's out for the day, and may have to run up to the city" (this in a mocking tone). "I hope she does, and I hope she gets tripped up in the run so she can't get back for a while. What do you think of my little Royal? I call him little Boy Blue, and he calls me Bo Peep, don't we have good times, Roy?"
In answer the small boy rubbed his head against Kitty's overalls, like a fond little kitten.
"We felt we must see you, Kitty," said Cleo seriously, "and we'll have to talk fast, as we left home so early and have to get back. Tommieis in the boat, and he too, must get back to the landing. Kitty, are you all right? and is everything all right?"
"Pretty much," said Kitty with a little wink in Royal's direction. "I'm glad you came and would—you—like to see our lodgings?"
"I'm afraid we can't wait this time," said Grace thinking it would be like Brother Benny to raise a still alarm that Grace had gone to that Looney Land. "But we can come back again soon."
"You are going to take me with you," gleefully announced the boy making a start toward the rocky arch.
"Oh, Roy dear, you wouldn't leave Kitty," protested the little caretaker. "You know we are both going together—"
"But these are my fairies," and tears welled into the saucer blue eyes. "I can't—can't let them go away!" Two monster tears rolled right into the quivering lips.
Cleo and Grace felt very helpless in this sort of predicament. It was one thing to dive off piers, and fish boys or girls out of the depths, but how to bank a flood of baby tears?
Kitty knew. She took Royal in her arms and attempted to hoist him up a tree.
"Peter Pan," she said severely. "See that cloud floating by! That's our airship, and very, very soon I promise we shall go to mother's land—in our ship of love. You see, these arethe messenger fairies (she did not know what truth she spoke,) and they will soon return," she finished grandly.
Grace and Cleo felt impelled to be fairies, and each raised fluttering arms, saved from comic effect by the love they betrayed in their smiling assent.
"Yes, we surely will come back very soon," declared Grace. "And Little Peter Pan, you may watch us from your tree. We have a power boat—and a row boat—you can tell us by a signal. When we come we will wave a blue flag—a light blue one, like a piece of the sky," finished Grace.
"All right," said the child, a little dolefully. "But I sat in the tree so often in my nighty, and Kitty-dear built steps so I could go up and down—" He paused, and bravely brushed away another big tear, with a motion that indicated dislike for feeble symbols.
"Well hurry," said Cleo, seizing the chance of escape. "Good-bye little Royal-Boy-Blue-Peter Pan," she said merrily. "And good-bye, Kitty. Send a letter by Lovey dove, or by Bentley, and we will answer promptly."
Kitty understood, and as they turned for a last look before stepping into Tommie's boat, they saw her holding Royal, as high on her shoulder as she could prop him; and he was wildly waving Kitty's blue cap.
"OH, I am so excited, Cleo. Everything is happening at once. The girls have been down to Captain Dave's and he was delighted with his pipe and things, and Neal seized the loving cup. Says it belongs to his club, the one Dick Gordon was in. And—" she paused for breath, Cleo jumped in the opening.
"Grazia, dear, don't choke. I am all of a flutter myself. Louise has had her father look over Kitty's papers, and it is almost too commonplace to tell, but it is just perfectly lovely, all the same. The name 'Schulkill' is on the deed to the property over at Luna Land, and the name Morehouse, that's the Aunt Hannah and Uncle Pete name, is only told of in Kitty's mother's letters. It will be very easy to establish Kitty's claim, Mr. Hart thinks, and Louise is so full of the news she wants to fly back to the island to tell Kitty without waiting for the message."
"I don't blame her. We hoped there would be one important paper in that packet, there alwaysis, else why all the tin box care? But isn't it strange a man like benevolent old Captain Dave never suspected such a thing? Men just seem to think women carry tin boxes out of shipwrecks to take care of hair pins, and little things like that."
"I told the girls to wear their uniforms and Neal promised to take us all over this afternoon," Cleo continued. "Oh, Grace, I never quite expected so much excitement, but I must admit I love it," said the courageous scout.
How the True Treds congregated, ready for the sail over the bay in the valiantTreddieneed not be told, for the very next noticeable thing was they were all together, and ready for a start, piling into the launch, like an encore to their previous excursion. Everybody chatted, and chinned, and giggled, and asked questions; and the sky blue flag Grace carried folded in her blouse caused no end of comment.
"Louise has had a double share of glory," said Helen, adding more to the share in her own tone of admiration. "She made a rescue, and found Kitty's deed to Luna Land."
"But the curtain is not rung down yet," Cleo reminded her. "No telling what may happen this very afternoon."
The boat clipped the waves so merrily the Point loomed in view almost before the girls realized they had entered the cove.
"There's Bentley!" called Grace. "See, heis just standing on the dock, and he has a suitcase. Turn in there a minute, Neal, please. We would speak to him."
Quickly as he spied the Treddie, Bentley waved his cap in signal for them to come in.
"There," added Cleo; "he has a message, I think. See, he has a paper in his hand."
"Don't get out," the boy called. "I'll throw it in," and wrapping a piece of paper weighted with a pebble, around the smaller slip, he easily tossed the message into Julia's lap.
"It's addressed to the scouts," said Louise. "You read it, Cleo."
The engine had not been turned off, so that it readily picked up speed again, as the girls waved gayly to Bentley. Cleo smoothed out the little note anxiously, and every one saw it was written on the old-time yellow paper. Cleo read aloud:
"Bentley is going home and I won't stay here any longer. Watch for my wig-wag signal from the stone arch, and come to rescue me and Royal. Must watch for chance. About three, maybe." It was signed "Kitty."
"Another wig-wag rescue," repeated Helen, fluttering with excitement. "Won't it be splendid to take them both away?"
"But what shall we do with them?" asked Isabel. "I know one doesn't dare take even a lost child indoors without danger of arrest."
"Then we'll keep them on the porch," replied Cleo crisply.
"And we can notify Captain Dave or even our police officer. Then there will be no possibility of complications," said Louise.
Another swing around the tail of the point, and Luna Land lay before them. All eyes were strained toward the rocky summit over the arch.
"I see her!" shouted Julia. "RememberIsaw her first," and she stood to wave her camp hat in one hand and a handkerchief in the other.
"Yes," added Grace, throwing the blue cheesecloth to the breeze, "there they are!" Kitty was waving her white flag against the green foliage background. "Oh, Neal go in quickly. Some one may catch them before we can reach them."
Not another word was spoken until the launch scraped the rocks.
"Stay where you are!" called Kitty. "We have to jump."
"Why? They may be hurt," protested Elizabeth. But her companions had realized the situation. Kitty wanted to reach the launch from the secluded corner of the rock, and would not risk embarking from the natural landing, with its view all open.
"Can we take the canvas?" Isabel asked Neal. A nod of his head gave permission, and before he seemed to know just what they were going to do, four of the girls had leapt to land.Cleo and Helen then tossed the bundled piece of awning over the side of the Treddie, and safely ashore, then climbed out themselves, and, like the firemen under burning buildings, stood the True Treds, with that big piece of canvas stretched under the leafy peak of the rocky archway.
"Ready!" called out Kitty.
A firmer grasp was made at every holding point, and then—a gentle thud.
Little Royal bounced like a circus baby in the life net.
Quickly two girls lifted him out and turned down to the launch, while the others held the net for Kitty, who came in with a jump that brought the rescuers to their knees, stifling a gale of laughter.
"All right—no bones broken," gasped Kitty. "Hurry, they may be after us!"
Quickly they all scrambled in the launch, while little Royal was in Neal's arms.
"I knew it, I knew it," he kept repeating. "And this is just like daddy's little boat—"
"Girls!" exclaimed Kitty, "I found your slippers and stockings and the bag among Aunt Hannah's things. They're in my bag."
"Where is she?" Cleo asked, too impatient to wait for a more opportune moment.
"She came back ready to take Roy away," Kitty said defiantly. "But I wouldn't trust her. I found a lot of papers and wireless messages,and I wouldn't let her sneak off with Royal. I just made up my mind she couldn't scare me any more, and I'd go to Uncle Dave's, and tell him all about it."
"You are right," declared Louise. "I don't know very much about it, but it can do no harm for this little darling to leave that island. He was a regular prisoner there."
"You said it!" replied Kitty. "And having the poor angel roll in the mud to get strong! Then sleeping in a hut to be outdoors, when I know positive, his folks paid her thousands of dollars to keep their child in a delightful high-class retreat—where everything was perfect, but very costly."
"Oh, was that it?" asked Grace, looking at little Royal, as he helped steer the boat.
"Yes, and more," insisted Kitty, her cheeks flaming with excitement. "She promised me a hundred dollars if I would keep every one off the island and look out for Roy. I thought it was a lot, but what about her thousands? Then, when I got in the accident the other day, and she was afraid folks might come here to see if I had pneumonia, she changed her mind, and refused to give me any money. Now she is back, and I know Royal's folks will soon be in New York and I just wouldn't trust her with him any more. That's why I had to ask you to rescue us. And you did!"
In spite of her excitement she could laugh,and the humor presently became an acute infection for every one was shouting at the comedy of the rocks. And Kitty looked so funny. She was dressed up, had shoes and stockings on, and a "warmed over" hat, with pathetically drooping roses around it; and then the bag, with the long, lost slippers!
"Come to my house first," insisted Grace. "I'm nearest."
"I am to meet my friend this afternoon," said Neal, who was so busy with the boy and his engine he had never even heard the child's name mentioned. "He got in this morning after a stormy trip," went on the young man, "but his yacht, the Royal, made it all right, and Dick promised to be down late this afternoon."
"The Royal!" gasped Kitty, Grace and Louise.
"That's my yacht," sang out the boy gleefully. "Daddy and Mother and Ricky are coming home on the Royal!"
"Oh joy!" shouted Louise, while Kitty gasped.
"Do you mean to say the young man who runs the yacht is coming to see you?" She had seized Neal's shoulders as if to confront him with some horrible crime.
"Careful," he said with a laugh. "You'll steer us against the dock. Yes, Richard Gordon who runs the Alton's yacht, Royal, is myfriend," he answered, beginning to sense the true meaning of the affair.
Five minutes later it was a queer little procession that wended the short way from the landing to Rosabell cottage.
"I would like you to have seen the old dump," said Kitty, referring to Luna Land, "but I'll never go back there while Hannah is around. It's only a couple of shacks. Nothing to see but Bentley's camp. You see," in answer to the unspoken inquiry, "Bentley is an awful smart boy, who had to be taken out of school. He has a nice, good-natured big brother, Roger, who came down here, rented land from Uncle Pete, and pitched a couple of tents on Luna Land. They were on the other side of the island, but Ben had the carrier pigeons and we made up all kinds of outdoor games and he let me use all the yellow paper I wanted. He's gone back home, all well and ready for High School." This last sentence seemed to evoke a sigh from Kitty.
"That was why he had his book always with him," said Cleo, and they turned the corner to Rosabell.
"WE have company," said Grace, noticing rather resentfully, that a strange figure occupied a corner of her porch. "And it's a man!"
They were almost up to the steps. Evidently Mrs. Philow was very much interested with her guest, for she could be seen gesticulating earnestly.
The girls quickened their steps and as they approached the figure turned, caught sight of the party of scouts, and stood with his cap in hand.
"It's Ricky!" cried Royal, breaking away from Kitty's hold and running to the young man, who now stared in undisguised amazement.
"Royal!" he called in answer. "As I live, our own little Royal!"
"Well," gasped Neal, attempting to get his greeting in. "Isn't this rather a surprise?"
"I should say so," answered his friend. "However did our bonny boy turn up here? I have burned out my wireless trying to get aword about him. Mrs. Alton is almost ill again worrying. Where have you been?" He was looking over the child with a familiar and critical eye.
"I've been in the woods with Kitty, rolling in the mud and sleeping in a tree hammock," announced the boy proudly. "And, please, Ricky, I'm going to take Kitty home with me. She hasn't any nice girl's things in the woods."
Mrs. Philow and Leonore were standing waiting for an opportunity to extend hospitality.
"This young man just came to take a peek at his old room, Grace," the mother explained. "You see, he is the Mr. Gordon we have been hearing about, and now to think everybody knows everybody—"
Leonore was blushing prettily. Neal had stepped aside to speak with her. No doubt, he was praising the running of his launch, and inviting her to try it.
Kitty edged up to Royal and pinched his fat little leg. "You're not going to give me up, are you?" she said timidly.
"Nopy-nope!" answered Royal. "You must come too. Ricky, where is mother? Take me to her."
"I am going to do just that," replied the good-looking sailor.
"Oh, no, please don't," begged Kitty. "I couldn't let Roy go out of my sight—I wouldn't," she protested.
"But you may all come along. How would that be?" replied Richard Gordon. "My launch is lying at the pier, and the Royal is at anchor just over there."
"And is our big yacht out there?" asked the little boy.
"Surest thing," answered the yachtsman.
"But how do I know—know you are not a kidnapper?" Kitty stammered suddenly.
Every one laughed, but Kitty's distress was genuine.
"He is not a kidnapper, Kitty. He is my Ricky," said Royal. "Please hurry and take me to mother."
The girls were too surprised at the whole proceedings to venture any suggestion, but upon being pressed by Neal and Dick, it was arranged that all hands should take a flying trip out to the launch, and see Royal presented to his mother.
Kitty objected—said she was afraid of the ocean, and made other excuses, but when she finally realized that the little boy would be taken off without her if she did not go, she at last consented.
"Another excursion," called out Cleo. "Come on girls, the more the merrier," and chaperoned by Leonore, the party undertook that delightful sight—seeing a millionaire's yacht.
A more dramatic picture than Kitty on that wonderful yacht can scarcely be imagined. Itwas awe-inspiring to every one, but to this quaint, picturesque little figure, it was nothing short of marvellous. Once Royal saw the slender, dainty little woman, he called "Muzzer" there was no longer any doubt as to the genuineness of the claim, in Kitty's mind.
"Yep," she said. "That's the lady he talked about, that's his mother."
"And to think I would have sailed away again without my baby, but for you," said Mrs. Alton to Kitty. "How can I ever thank you?"
"I loved him, and we had good times," explained the girl, "but I would never have been brave enough to get away from Aunt Hannah but for these scouts. I'm going to be a Girl Scout as soon as I get in a higher grade," she said emphatically.
It was quite a task to decide what to do with Kitty. They finally arranged that the two young men, Neal and Dick, would run around to the island, and brave the fury of Miss Hannah Morehouse, in a manner calculated to quiet any possible objections on her part. In fact Royal's father sent a very strong message, charging her with misusing the funds given in her charge, to be expended for his little son.
"The whole proceeding is an outrage," declared the millionaire. "When the doctor ordered a sea voyage for my wife, and said it would be injurious to the child, this womanmade plans to take the boy, live in the open, and roll in the mud and so forth."
"She did that all right," broke in Kitty.
"It seemed feasible," he continued, "and while she said it would be costly—that did not matter," turning to the group. "Why, I feel only the brave fight of this child has saved him for us. And I am not sure what course I shall pursue in dealing with Hannah Morehouse."
"Only Daddy!" begged the golden-haired boy, who clung to his mother, "please don't let her come around here. She's too mean to Kitty and me, and we don't ever want to see her again, do we Kitty-dear?"
"All ashore, who are going ashore!" called out Neal, and at that the happy party climbed back into the Runner, the auxiliary launch of the yacht, Royal, and in a few minutes were again at Sea Crest.
"And you can come back with me, Kitty," begged Julia. "I have a big house and you can have a room to yourself until you are ready to go to school as Mrs. Alton wishes to arrange."
"And Kitty," said Louise, when the bewildered child was quiet enough to listen, "you need not worry about the hundred dollars Miss Hannah refuses to pay you for you own a lot of property on Luna Land."
"Aunt Hannah's property!" she gasped. "I knew it. I'll run her off the place, but I'll build a nice little house for good old Uncle Pete."
"Here's your bag," said Grace; "don't lose it."
"Oh, wait, girls, sit down until I give you your stockings and things." They dropped down on the terrace, and she dragged the things from her bag. She drew a purse from the very bottom of the satchel, and looked around before she opened it.
"Now wait," she said again, biting her thin lips. Then she pulled out a piece of yellow paper from a rusty leather purse.
"Our fire-bug threat," exclaimed Louise. "How did you get that?"
"I wanted to tell you long ago, I was the Weasle, but it wasn't all my fault. Aunt Hannah said if I acted queer folks would shun me, and then I didn't have to worry so about hiding Royal.
"When I got started at it, it seemed like fun. I had no girl friends, and I liked to scare the others, so I used to fix fires on the beach, and let them get fanned into flames by the wind. But I never set fire to chicken coops, and those other places. I guess robbers did that. Then, as soon as you girls came around, and acted so brave about it, I saw it was more fun to have friends than to scare them off," she finished with an expression of genuine contrition.
"Well, it's all right now, Kitty, and you have been very brave to watch so faithfully over Royal. That was good scouting," said Isabel.
"But think of Louise saving my life from the pier?" she exclaimed.
"And what a fine moving picture we all made holding that life net for you this afternoon," Cleo reminded her, laughingly.
"I can't quite believe it about the papers," Kitty reflected aloud.
"The tin box is in my daddy's safe, but the deeds to Luna Land are being searched by lawyers," explained Louise.
"Suppose we stop at Captain Dave's and tell him all the news first," suggested Margaret.
"All agreed!" called Helen and it was almost sun down before the group in front of the station, with Kitty Schulkill as a centerpiece, disturbed the picture.
It was the end of a day, the end of a vacation, and is the end of our story, until we meet the happy little group in our next volume, to be called "The Girl Scouts at Camp Comalong."
THE END.