 Chapter 1 of Camp Firegirls at Twin Lakes This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Camp Firegirls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis. Chapter 1 About Teeth and Teddy Bears Girls, I have some great news for you. I'm sure you'll be interested, and I hope you'll be as delighted as I am. Come on, all of you, gather around in a circle, just as if we were going to have a council fire. And I'll tell you something that will, that will, teddy bear your teeth. A chorus of laughter, just a little derisive, greeted Catherine Crane's enigmatic figure of speech. The merriment came from eleven members of Flamingo Camp Fire, who proceeded to form an arc of a circle in front of the speaker on the hillside grass plot near the white canvas tents of the girls' camp. What does it mean to teddy bear your teeth, inquired Juliet Hyde, with mock impatience? Come, Catherine, you are as much of a problem with your ideas as Harriet Newcomb is with her big words. Do you know the nicknames some of us are thinking of giving to her? No, what is it? Catherine asked. Polly. Polly? Why Polly? Was the next question of the user of obscure figures of speech? Who seemed, by this time, to have forgotten the subject that she started to introduce when she opened the conversation? Polly Syllable, of course, Juliet answered. And the burst of laughter that followed would have been enough to silence the most ambituous joker. But this skill-fundmaker was not in the least ambituous, so she laughed appreciately with the others. Well, anyway, she declared after the merriment had subsided. Harriet always used her Polly Syllables correctly, so I am not in the least offended at your comparison of my obscurities with her profundities. There, how's that? Don't you think you'd better call me Polly, too? Not till you explain to us what it means to teddy bears one's teeth. Azalea Atwood stipulated sternly. What I'm afraid of is that you're trying to introduce politics into this club, and we won't stand for that a minute. Oh, yes, Julietta, you may have your wish if what Azalea says is true. Marie-Crismo announced so eagerly that everybody present knew that she had an idea and waited expectably for it to come out. We'll call you Polly, politics. Of course, everybody laughed at this. And then Harriet Newcomb demanded that her rival for enigmatic honors make good. What does it mean to teddy bear one's teeth? She demanded. Oh, you girls are making too much of that remark, Catherine protested modestly. I really am astonished at every one of you, ashamed of you, in fact, for failing to get me. I mean that you would be delighted. Delighted. Get me? Delighted. Oh, I get you, Helen Nash announced, lifting a hand over her head with an I know teacher attitude. Well, Helen, get up and speak your piece, Catherine directed. You referred to the way Theodore Roosevelt shows his teeth when he says he's delighted, but we got you wrong. When you said you would tell us something that would teddy bear our teeth. You meant bear, not bear. When teddy laughs, he bears his teeth. Isn't that it? This isn't the first time that Helen Nash had proved herself a regular Sherlock Holmes. Marion Stanlock declared enthusiastically. We are pretty well equipped with brains in this camp. I want to tell you, we have Harriet, The Walking Dictionary, Catherine, The Girl, Enigma, and Helen, The Detectives. Every girl is supposed to be a puzzle. Ernestine Johansson reminded, I don't like to snatch any honours away from anyone, but you know we should always have the truth. Yes, let us have the truth about this interesting, teddy teeth bearing, delighting announcement that Catherine has to make to us, Estelle Adler implored. The delay wasn't my fault, Catherine said, with an attitude of perfect willingness. If all this nonsense will stop, then here comes Miss Ladd. Let's wait for her to join us, for I know you will all want her opinion of the proposition I am going to put to you. Miss Harriet Ladd, Guardian of the Fire, bearing a large bouquet of wild flowers that she had just gathered in timber along the bank of the stream. Join the group of girls seated on the grass a minute later, and then all waited, expectedly, for Catherine to begin. End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, all to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes Or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 2 A Special Meeting Called Even Hollow, begging the indulgence of those who have read the earlier volume of this series, is a deep, richly vegetated ravine or gully, forming one of a series of scenic convolutions at the surface of the earth which gave the neighbouring town of Fairberry a wide reputation as a place of beauty. The 13 Camp Fire Girls who had pitched their tents in the lower hillside a few hundred feet from a boisterous, gravel and boulder bedded stream known as Butter Creek, were students at Hiawatha Institute, a girl's school in a neighbouring state. The students of that school were all Camp Fire Girls and it was not an uncommon thing for individual fires to spend parts of their vacations together at favourite camping places. On the present occasion, the members of Flamingo Fire were guests of one of their own number, Hazel Edwards on the farm of the latter's aunt, Mrs. Hannah Hutchins, which included a considerable section of the scenic ravine known as Fern Hollow. They had some startling adventures in the last few weeks and although several days had elapsed since the wind-up in these events and it seemed that a season of quiet, peaceful camp life was in store for them, still they were sufficiently keyed up to the unusual in life to accept surprises and astonishing climaxes as almost matters, of course. But all of these experiences had not rendered them restless and discontented, when events slowed down to the ordinary course of everyday life, including three meals a day, eight hours sleep, and a programme of tramps, exercises and honour endeavours. The girls were really glad to return to their schedule and their handbook for instructions as to how they should occupy their time. After all, adventures make entertaining reading, but very few, if any, persons normally constituted would choose a melodramatic career if offered as an alternative along with an even tenor existence. All within one week these girls had witnessed the execution of an astonishing plot by a band of skilled lawbreakers and subsequently had followed Mrs. Hutchins through a series of experiences relative to the loss of a large amount of property, which she held in trust for a relative of her late husband, and its recovery through the brilliant and energetic endeavours of some of the members of the campfire, particularly Hazel Edwards and Harriet Newcomb. The chief culprit, Percy Teich and nephew of Mrs. Hutchins' late husband, had been captured, had escaped, had been captured again and lodged in jail, and clues as to the identity of a number of the rest had been worked out by the police so that the hope was expressed confidently that eventually they too would be caught. Mrs. Hutchins is very grateful for the part this campfire took in the recovery of the lost securities of which she was trusting. Catherine announced by way of introducing her great news to the members of the fire who assemble in response to her call. Of course Hazel did the really big things, assisted and encouraged by the companionship of Harriet and Violet that Mrs. Hutchins feels like thanking us all for being here and looking pleasant. Hazel Edwards, niece of Mrs. Hutchins, was not present during this conversation. By pre-arranged purpose she was absent from the camp when Catherine put to the other girls the proposition made by the wealthy aunt at their girl hostess. The reason it was decided best for her to remain away while the other girls were considering the plan was that it was feared that her presence might tend to suppress arguments against its acceptance and that was a possibility which Hazel and her aunt wished to avoid. So Catherine was selected to lay the matter before the campfire because she was no more chummy with Hazel than any of the other girls. Let's make this a special business meeting, suggested Mrs. Slade who had already discussed the proposition with Catherine and Mrs. Hutchins. What Catherine has to say interests you as an organisation. You'd have to bring the matter up at a business meeting anyway to take action on it and our regular one is two weeks ahead. We can't wait that long if we are going to do anything on the subject. It was a little after 10 o'clock and the girls had been working for the last hour at various occupations which appeared on their several routine schedules for this part of the day. In fact all of their regular academic and handwork study hours were in the morning. Just before Catherine called the girls together they were seated here and there in shady spots on camp chairs or on the grass in the vicinity of the camp occupied thus. Violet Monday and Marie Chrismore were studying the lives of well-known Indians. Julietta Hyde and Estelle Adler were reading a book of Indian legends and making a study of Indian symbols. Harriet Newcombe and Azalea Ratwood were studying the campfire hand sign language. Ernestine Johansson and Ethel Zimmerman were crocheting some lunch and sets. Ruth Hazelton and Helen Nash were mending their ceremonial gowns. Marian Stanlock was making a beaded headband and Catherine Crane, secretary of the fire, was looking over the minutes of the last meeting and preparing a new book in which to enter the records of the next meeting. Everybody's signifying a sent to the Guardian's suggestion and meeting was declared and called to order. The Wohello song was sung. The roll was called. The minutes of the last meeting were read. The reports of the treasurer and committees were deferred as were also the recording of honours in the record book and the decorating of the count and then the Guardian called for new business. This was the occasion for Catherine to address the meeting formally on the matter she had in mind. End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3 At Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 3 A Boy and a Fortune Now, said Catherine, after all the preliminaries of a business meeting had been gone through, I'll begin all over again so that this whole proceeding may be thoroughly regular. I admit I went at it rather spasmodically, but you know we girls are constituted along sentimental lines and that is one of the handicaps we are up against in our efforts to develop strong-willed characters like those of men. I don't agree with you, Marie-Crismoor put in with a rather saucy path. I don't believe we are built along sentimental lines at all. I've known lots of men, boys, a few, I mean, and have heard of many more who were just as sentimental as the most sentimental girl. There were several half-suppressed titters in the semi-circle of Camp Fire Girls before whom Catherine stood as she began her address. Marie was an unusual pretty girl, a fact which of itself was quite enough to arouse the humour of laughing eyes when she commented on the sentimentality of the opposite sex. Moreover, her evident confusion as she tangled herself up in her efforts to avoid personal embarrassment was exceedingly amusing. I would suggest, Catherine, misled, interposed, that you be careful to make your statement simple and direct and not say anything that is likely to start an argument. If you will do that, we shall be able to get through much more rapidly and more satisfactorily. Catherine accepted this as good advice and continued along the lines suggested. Well, the main facts are these, she said. Mrs Hutchins has learned that the child whose property she holds in trust is not being cared for and treated as one would expect a young heir to be treated and something like $3,000 a year is being paid to the people who have him in charge for his support and education. The people who have him in charge get this money in monthly instalments and make no report to anybody as to the welfare at their ward. The name of this young heir is Glen Irving. He is a son of Mrs Hutchins' late husband's nephew. When Glen's father died, he left most of his property in trust for the boy and made Mr Hutchins trustee. And when Mr Hutchins died, the trustee's ship passed on to Mrs Hutchins under the terms of the will. That you girls know is the property which was lost for a year and a half following Mr Hutchins' death because he had hidden the securities where they could not be found. Although Hazel, no doubt assisted very much by Harriet, is really the one who discovered those securities and returned them to her aunt. Still, Mrs Hutchins seems disposed to give us all some of the credit. For several months reports have reached Mrs Hutchins that her grand-nephew has not been receiving the best of care from the relatives who have charge of him. She has tried in various ways to find out how much truth there was in those reports. It was unsuccessful. Little Glean, who is only ten years old, has been in the charge of an uncle and aunt on his mother's side ever since he became an orphan three or four years ago. His father, in his will, named his uncle and aunt as Glean's caretakers, but privately executed another instrument in which he gave Mr and Mrs Hutchins' guardianship powers to supervise the welfare of Little Glean. It was understood that these powers were not to be exercised unless special conditions made it necessary for them to step in and take charge of the boy. Mrs Hutchins wants to find out now whether such conditions exist. At the time of the death of Glean's father he lived in Baltimore and his uncle and aunt, who took charge of him, lived there too. It seems that they were only moderately well-to-do and the $3,000 a year they got for the care and education of the boy was a boon to them. Of course, $3,000 a year was more than was needed, but that was the provision made by his father in his will. And as long as they had possession of the boy they were entitled to the money. Moreover, Mrs Hutchins understands that Glean's father desired to pay the caretakers of his child so well that there could be no doubt that he would get the best of everything he needed, particularly education. But apparently his father made a big mistake in selecting the persons who were to take the places of father and mother to the little boy. If reports are true they have been using most of the money on themselves and their own children and Glean has received that in different clothes, care and education. Now I am coming to the main point of my statement to you. Mrs Hutchins talked the matter over with Ms Ladd and me and asked us to put up to you in this way. She was wondering if we wouldn't like to make a trip to the place where Glean is living and find out how he is treated. Mrs Hutchins has an idea that we are a pretty clever set of girls and there is no use of trying to argue her out of it. So that much must be agreed to so far as she is concerned. She wants to pay all of our expenses and has worked out quite an elaborate plan or rather, she had her lawyer worked it out together. Really, it is very interesting. Why? She wants us to be real detectives exclaimed Violet Monday excitedly. No, don't put it that way. Julietta Hyde objected. Just say she wants us to take parts of 14 Lady Sherlock Holmes' in a juvenile drama in real life. Very cleverly expressed, Ms Ladd remarked admiringly. Detective is entirely too coarse a term to apply to any of my camp five girls and I won't stand for it. We might call ourselves special agents, operatives, secret emissaries or mystery probers, Harriet Newcomb suggested. Yes, we could expect something like that from our walking dictionary, said Ernestine Johansson. But whatever we call ourselves, I am ready to vote I. Come on with you. Or Mrs Hutchins and her lawyer's plan. Catherine, I am impatient to hear the rest of it. Catherine produced an envelope from her Mitty Blauers pocket and drew from it a folded paper which she unfolded and spread out before her. End of chapter three. Chapter four of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes. Or The Quest of a Summer Vacation. By Stella M. Francis. Chapter four. The girls vote I. Before I take up the plan outlined by Mrs Hutchins and her lawyer, Catherine continued. As she unfolded the paper, I want to explain one circumstance that might be confusing if left unexplained. As I said, the uncle and aunt who have Glenn in charge live in Baltimore, they do not own any real estate that rent a rather expensive apartment which they never could support on the family income aside from the monthly payments received from Mrs Hutchins as trustee of Glenn's estate. This family's name is Graham and its head, James Graham, is a bookkeeper receiving a salary of about $1,800 a year. In these war times when the cost of living is so high, that is a very moderate salary on which to support a family of six, father, mother, two girls and two boys, including Glenn. But this family, according to reports that have reached Mrs Hutchins, is living in Clover. Mr Graham, who is a hard-working man, still holds his bookkeeping position but in this instance it is a case of everybody loves but father. He is said to be a very much henpecked husband. Mrs Graham is said to be the financial dictator of the family. Now Mrs Graham seems to be a woman of much social ambition among the necessaries of the best social equipment. You know, is a summer cottage in a society summer resort with sufficient means to support it, respectively and leisure in the summer to spend at the resort. It is said that the Graham's have all this. They have purchased or leased a cottage at Twin Lakes, which you know is only about a hundred miles from Hiawatha Institute. I think that every one of us has been there at one time or another. It is about 300 miles from here. What Mrs Hutchins wants us to do is to make a trip to Twin Lakes, pitch our tents and start a campfire program, just as if we were there to put in a season of recreation and honour work. But meanwhile, she wants us to become acquainted with the Graham family, cultivate an intimacy with them, if you please, and be able to report back to her just what conditions we find in their family circle. Just how Glenn is treated and whether or not he gets reasonable benefits from the money given to the Graham's for his support and education. I have given you in detail, I think, what is outlined on this paper I hold in my hand. I don't think I have left out anything except the names of the children of the Graham family. But there are no names at all on this paper. The reason for this is that it was thought best not to disclose the identity of the family for the information of any other person into whose hands at my fall, if it should be lost by us. The names are indicated thus. A stands for the oldest member of the family, Mrs Graham, for she is two years older than her husband and the real head of the household. D stands for the next younger, Mr Graham. C stands for Addy, the oldest daughter. D for the next daughter, Olga. E for the only son, James, named after his father. And F stands for Glenn. There you have the whole proposition. What do you want to do with it? Mrs Hutchins, I neglected to mention, wants to pay all of our expenses and hire help to take off our hands all the labour of moving our camp. Replies were not slow coming. Nearly every one of the girls had something to say, as indicated by the eager attitudes of all and requests from several to be recognised by the Guardian, who was in the chair. Edward was the first one called a pawn. I think the proposition of Mrs Hutchins is simply great. The letter declared with fin. It's delightfully romantic. Sounds like a story with a plot and would make fourteen heroines out of us if we were successful in our mission. I want to warn you against one danger, misled, interposed at this point. The natural thing for you to do at the start, after hearing this lengthy indictment of the Grahame family, is to conclude that they are a bad lot and to feel an eagerness to set out to prove it. Now, I admit that, that is my feeling in this matter, but I know also that there is a possibility of mistake. The Grahames may be high class people, but they may have enemies who are trying to injure them. If you take up the proposition of Mrs Hutchins, you must keep this possibility in mind, for unless you do, you might do not only the Grahame's a great injustice, but little glen as well. It would be a pity to tear him away from a perfectly good home that has been vilified by false accusations made by unscrupulous enemies. The discussion was continued for nearly an hour. The written instructions in Catherine's possession were read aloud and then a vote was taken. It was unanimous in favour of performing the task proposed by Mrs Hutchins. End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of Camp Firegirls at Twin Lakes This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Camp Firegirls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 5 Honours and Spies Why couldn't this expedition be arranged so that we girls could all win some honours out of it? Ruth Hazleton inquired after the details of Mrs Hutchins' plan had been discussed thoroughly and the vote had been taken. That is a good suggestion, said Mrs Ladd. What kind of honours would you propose, Ruth? The latter was silent for some minutes. She was going over in her mind the list of home craft, health craft, camp craft, hand craft, nature law, business and patriotism honours provided for by the organisation that none of them seemed to fit in with the programme of the proposed secret investigation. I don't think of any, she said at last. There aren't any, are there? No, there are not, the Guardian replied. But now is the time for the exercise of a little ingenuity. Who speaks first with an idea? I have one, announced Ethel Zimmerman, eagerly. Well, what is it, Ethel, Mrs Ladd inquired. Local honours replied the girl with the first idea. Each campfire is authorised to create local honours and award special beads and other emblems to those who make the requirements. Under what circumstances is such a proceeding authorised, was Mrs Ladd's next question. When it is found that local conditions call for the awarding of honours not provided for in the elected list, do such honours count for anything in the qualifications for higher rank? They do not, Ethel answered, like a pupil who had learned her lesson very well and felt no hesitancy in making her recitation. What kind of honour would you confer on me if I exhibit a great skill in spying on someone else? asked Helen Nash in a usual cool and deliberate manner. A problematical smile lit up the places of several of the girls who caught the significance of this suggestion. Mrs Ladd smiled too, but not so problematically. You mean to point out the incongruity of honours and spies, I presume? The Guardian interpreted, addressing Helen. Not very seriously, the latter replied with an expression of dry humour. I couldn't resist the temptation to ask the question and, moreover, it occurred to me that a little discussion on the subject of honours and spies might help to complete our study of the problem before us. Do you mean that we are going to be spies? Violet Monday questioned. Why, of course we are, Helen replied, with a half-twinkle in her eye. I don't like the idea of spying on anybody and would rather call it something else, said Marie-Cruzmore. First, someone calls us detectives and then somebody calls us spies. What next, ah? Why don't you like to spy on anybody? asked Harriet Newcomb. Well, Marie answered hesitantly. You know that there are thousands of foreign spies in this country trying to help our enemies in Europe and I don't like to be classed with them. That's patriotic, said Helen, the twinkle in her eyes becoming brighter, but you must remember that there are spies and spies, good spies and bad spies. All of our law enforcement officials are spies in their attempts to crush crime. Your mother was a spy when she watched you as a little tot stealing into the pantry to poke your fist into the jam. That is what Mrs. Hutchins suspects is taking place now. Someone has got his or her fist in the jam. We must go and peek in through the pantry door. Oh, if you put it that way, it'll be lots of fun. Marie exclaimed eagerly, I'd just like to catch them with their fists all smeared. She brought the last word out so ecstatically that everybody laughed. I'm afraid you have fallen into the pit that I warned you against, Miss Ladd said, addressing Marie, you mustn't start out eager to prove the persons under suspicion guilty. Then we must drive out of our minds the picture of the fists smeared with jam, deployed Marie with a playful pout. I fear that you must with a smiling concurrence at the Guardian. Very well, I'm a good soldier, said Marie, straightening up as if ready to shoulder arms. I won't imagine any jam until I see it. Here comes Hazel, cried Julieta, and everybody looked in the direction indicated. Hazel Edwards had taken advantage of this occasion to go to her aunt's house and that's to the city Red Cross headquarters for a new supply of yarn for their army and navy knitting. As she emerged from the timber and continued along the edge of the woods toward the site of the camp, the assemble pampers could see that she carried a good-sized bundle under one arm. She's got some more yarn and we can now take up our knitting again, said Ethel Zimmerman, who had proved herself to be the most rapid of all the members of the campfire with the needles. Although the business of the meeting was finished by tacit agreement, those present decided not to adjourn until Hazel arrived and received official notice of what had been done. I'm delighted with your decision, Hazel said eagerly, and do you know, I believe we are going to have some adventure. I've been talking the matter over with Aunt Hannah and she has told me a lot of very interesting things, but when do you want to go? We haven't discussed that yet, Miss Ladd replied. I suppose we could go almost any time. Let's go at once, propose Mary and Stanlock. We haven't anything to keep us here and we can come back as soon as we find the jam on somebody's fist. This figure of speech called for an explanation for Hazel's benefit. Then Ruth Hazelton moved that the campfire place itself at Mrs. Hutchins' service to leave for Twin Lakes as soon as she thought best and this motion was carried unanimously. I move that Catherine Crane be appointed a committee of one to notify Mrs. Hutchins of our action and get instructions from her for our next move, said Violet Mundo. Second the motion, said Azalea Atwood. Question shouted Harriet Newcomb. Those in favour say aye, said Miss Ladd. A hearty chorus of ayes was the response. Contrary minded no, silence. The ayes have it, the meeting adjourned. End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 At Campfire Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This reading by Lucy Burgoyne. Campfire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis. Chapter 6 A Telegram on Wrap At 9 o'clock in the morning two days later a train of three coaches, two sleepers and a parlor car pulled out a fairberry northwest bound. It was a clear mid-summer day, not oppressively warm. The atmosphere had been freshened by a generous shower of rain a few hours before sunrise. In the parlor car near one end sat a group of 13 girls and one young woman. Later, Miss Land, guardian of Flamingo Campfire we will hear after, designate as, one of the girls. She was indeed scarcely more than a girl having passed her voting majority by less than a year. The last two days had been devoted principally to preparations for this trip. Mrs. Hutchins had engaged two men wrapped the tents and packed these and all the other camp, Parathonalia and expressed the entire outfit to Twin Lakes Station. On the morning before us, Mrs. Hutchins accompanied the 14 girls to the train at the Fairberry Depot and vade them goodbye and wished them success in their enterprise. There were few other passengers in the parlor car as the Flamingo Campfire girls entered. One old gentleman obligingly moved forward from his seat at the rear end and the new passengers were able to occupy a section all by themselves. Before starting for the train Miss Land called her little flock of spies together and gave them a short lecture. Now girls, she said with keen deliberation they were about to embark on a venture that has in its element which will put many of your qualities to severe tests and these tests are going to begin right away. Perhaps the first will be a test of your ability to hold your tongues. That's pretty hard for a baby of girls who like to talk better than anything else, isn't it? Do you really mean to accuse us of liking to talk better than anything else? Inquired Murray Crismore, flushing Pritley. I didn't say so, did I? Was the Guardians answering query? Not exactly, but you meant it, didn't you? I refused to be pinned down to an answer, replied Miss Land, smiling enigmatically. I suspect that if I leave you something to guess about on that subject, it may sink in deeper. Now, can any of you surmise what specifically I am driving at? Nobody ventured an answer and Miss Land continued. Don't talk about our mission to Twin Lakes, except on secret occasions. Don't drop remarks now and then from there that may be overheard and make someone listen for more. For instance, on the train, forget that you are on anything except a mere pleasure trip or pan-fire excursion. Be absolutely certain that you don't drop any remarks that might arouse anybody's curiosity or suspicion. It might, you know, get to the very people whom we wish to keep in ignorance concerning our moves and motives. I see you are bound to make sure enough spies out of us, said Marie Chrismall Pertley. Well, I'm going to start out with the determination of pulling my hat down over my eyes, hiding in every shadow I see and peeking around every corner I can get to. Oh, I'm going to be some sleuth, believe me. What will you say when you catch somebody with jam on his fingers, Harriet Newcombe, inquired? Marie leaned forward eagerly and answered dramatically. Old suddenly appeared before the villain and shouted, Hope, you are my prisoner. Throw up your jammed hands. After the laugh that greeted this response subsided, Miss Ladd closed her lecture thus. I think you all appreciate the importance now of keeping your thoughts to yourselves, except when we are in conference. I'm glad to see you have a lot of fun over this subject but don't let your gay spirits cause you to permit any unguarded remarks to escape. On the train the girls all got out their knitting and soon their needles were plying merrily away on sleeveless sweaters, socks, helmets and wristlets for the boys at the front timing their work by their wristwatches for patriotism honors. True to their resolve, following Miss Ladd's warning lecture, they kept the subject of their mission out of their conversation and it is probable that no reference to it would have been made during the entire 300 mile journey if something had not happened which forced it keenly to the attention of every one of them. The train on which they were travelling was a limited and the first stop was 50 miles from Fairberry. A few moments after the train stopped a telegraph messenger walked into the front entrance of the parlour car and called out telegram for Miss Harriet Ladd the letter arose and received the message sign the receipt blank and tore open the envelope. Imagine her astonishment as she read the following Miss Harriet Ladd, parlour car Pocahontas Limited Attorney Pierce Langford is on your train First coach Four tickets for Twin Lakes Small man, squint eyes, smooth face Watch out for him Letter follows telegram Mrs. Hannah Hutchins End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of Camp Thy Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibraVox recording All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org This reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Thy Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of the Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 7 A Double Room Mystery Miss Ladd passed the telegram around among the girls after writing the following explanation at the foot of the message Pierce Langford is the fairberry attorney that represented scheming relatives of Mrs. Hutchins' late husband who attempted to force money out of her after the disappearance of the securities belonging to Glen Irving's estate Leave this matter to me and don't talk about it until we reach Twin Lakes Nothing further was said about the incident during the rest of the journey as requested by Miss Ladd The girls knitted, rested, chatted, read and wrote a few postcards or train letters to friends but although there was not a word of conversation among the camp fire members the passenger named in Mrs. Hutchins' telegram yet the subject was not absent from their minds much of the time They were being followed, no other construction could be put upon the telegram but for what purpose? What did the unscrupulous lawyer, that was the way Mrs. Hutchins had once referred to Pierce Langford, have in mind to do would he make trouble for them in any way that would place them in an embarrassing position These girls had had experiences in the last year which were likely to make them apprehensive of almost anything under such circumstances as these Warned at the presence on the train of a probable agent of the family under suspicion the girls were constantly on the alert for some evidence of his interest in them and their movements and they were rewarded to this extent In the course of the journey Langford paid the conductor the extra mileage for parlor car privileges and as he transferred from the coach not one of the Flamingo oids failed to observe the fact that in personal appearance he answered strikingly the description of the man referred to in the telegram received by Mrs. Ladd The squint eyed man of mystery in the coolest and most nonchalant manner took a seat a short distance in front at the bevy of netting campfire girls unfolded a newspaper and buried himself in its contents oblivious to all else about him half an hour later he rose and left the car passing out toward the rear end of the train another half hour elapsed and he did not reappear then Catherine Crane and Hazel Edwards put away their netting and announced that they were going back to the observation car and look over the magazines they did not communicate to each other their real purpose in making this move but neither had any doubt as to what was going on in the mind of the other Marie Chrismore looked at them with a little squint of intelligence and said as she arose from her chair I think I'll go too for a change but this is what she interpolated to herself they're going back there to spy and I think I'll go and spy too they found Langford in the observation car apparently asleep in a chair Catherine who entered first declared afterwards that she was positive she saw in clothes his eyes like a flash and lapsed into an appearance of drowsiness but if she was not in error his subsequent manner was a very clever simulation a midday slumber three or four times in the course of the next hour he shifted his position and half opened his eyes but drew back quickly in the most comfortable appearance a somnolent lassitude the three girls were certain that all this was pure make believe but they did not communicate their conviction to each other by look or suggestion of any kind they played their part very well and it is quite possible that Langford peeking through his eyewinkers was considerably puzzled by their manner he had no reason to believe that he was known to them by name or reputation much less by personal appearance it was in fact a game of spy on both sides during most of the journey with little but mystifying results the train reached twin lakes at about sundown and even then the girls had discovered no positive evidence as to the squint eyed man's purpose in taking the trip they were taking and Langford as he left the train could not confidently say to himself that he had detected any suggestion of interest on their part because of his presence on the train Flamingo campfire rode in an omnibus to the principal hotel in the town the Crandall house and were assigned to rooms on the second floor they had had their supper on the train and proceeded at once to prepare for a night's rest still no words were exchanged among them relative to the purpose of their visit all the mysterious squint eyed pattinger concerning whom all of them felt an irrepressible curiosity and not a little apprehension Miss Slad occupied a room with Catherine Crane after making a general survey at the floor and noting the location of the rooms of the other girls they entered their own apartment and closed the door Marie Crismore and Juliette Hyde occupied the room immediately south of theirs but to none of them had the room immediately north been assigned I wonder if the next room north is occupied Catherine remarked as she took off her hat and laid it on a shelf in the closet Someone is entering now Miss Slad whispered lifting her hand with a warning for low tone conversation the exchange of a few indistinct words between two persons could be heard then one of them left and the other was heard moving about in the room it's one of the hotel men who just brought a new guest up Catherine remarked and I'm going to find out who it is the Guardian declared in a low tone turning toward the door I'll go with you said Catherine and together they went down to the office they sought the register at once and began looking over the list of arrivals presently Miss Slad pointed with her finger the following registration Pierce Langford, Fairberry room 36 Miss Slad and Catherine occupied room 35 Anything you wish ladies ask the proprietor who stood behind the desk Yes Miss Slad answered we want another room I'll have to give you single rooms if that one is not satisfactory was the reply all my double rooms are filled isn't 36 a double room Catherine inquired yes but it's occupied I just sent a man up there excuse the question Miss Slad said curiously but why did you put one person in a double room it was the only double room you had and there were vacant single rooms in the house the hotel keeper smiled pleasantly as if the question was the simplest in the world to answer because he insisted on having it and paid me double rate in advance was the landlord's startling reply End of chapter 7 Chapter 8 of Camp Flyer Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibraVox recording All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org This reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Flyer Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of the Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 8 Planning in Secret Without a word of comment relative to this remarkable information Miss Slad turned and started back upstairs and Catherine followed in the hall at the upper landing the Guardian whispered thus in the ear of her roommate Shh! Don't say a word or commit an act that could arouse suspicion he's probably listening or looking or both just forget this subject and talk about the new midi blouse you are making or something like that don't gush either or he may suspect your motive we want to throw him off the track if possible but Catherine preferred to say little but she was tired and made haste to get into bed it was not long before the subject of their plans and problems and visions of spies and jam-stained fists were lost in the leaf of dreamland they were awakened in the morning by the first breakfast bell and arose at once they dredged hurriedly and went at once to the dining room where they found two of the girls ahead of them the others appeared presently as the second bell rung Pierce Lankford sauntered into the room and took a seat near the table occupied by Helen Nash and Violet Monday he looked about him in a half-fakened inconsectual way and then began to jolly the waitress who approached and sung off a string of alternates on the hooverized bill of fair which she carried in her mind she coldly ignored his jollies for it was difficult for Lankford to be pleasing even when he tried to be pleasant took his order and proceeded on her way the girls paid no further attention to the supposed spy lawyer during breakfast and the latter appeared to pay no further attention to them after the meal Miss Lad called the girls together and suggested that they take a walk then she dismissed them to prepare 20 minutes later they reassembled clad in kaki midi suits brown sailor hats and hiking shoes and the walk was begun along a path that led down a wooded hill behind the hotel and toward the nearest lake it was not so much for exercise and fresh air that this hike was taken as for an opportunity to hold a conference where there was little likelihood of it being overheard they picked a grassy knoll near the lake shaded by a border of oak and butternut trees and sat down close together in order that they might carry on a conversation in subdued tones now said Miss Lad we'll begin to form our plans you all realise I think that we have an obstacle to work against that we did not reckon on when we started but that need not surprises in fact as I think matters over it would have been surprising if something of the kind had not occurred this man lengthed is undoubtedly here to block our plans if that is true in a sense it is an advantage to us why Hazel Edwards inquired I don't like the idea of answering questions of that kind without giving you girls an opportunity to answer them the Guardian returned now who can tell me why it is an advantage to us to be followed by someone in the employ of the people whom we have been sent to investigate I think I can answer it Hazel said quickly observing that two or three of the other girls seem to have something to say let me speak first please I asked the foolish question and want a chance to redeem myself I wouldn't call it foolish was the Guardian's reassuring reply it was a very natural question and one that comparatively few people would be able to answer without considerable study and yet it is simple after you once get it but go ahead and redeem yourself the fact that someone has been put on our trail to watch us is pretty good evidence that something wrong is going on said Hazel you warned us not to be sure that anybody is guilty until we see the jam on his fist but we can work more confidently if we are reasonably certain that there is something to work for if this man Langford is in the employ of the Grahams and is here watching us for them we may be reasonably certain that Aunt Hannah was right in her suspicions that the way little Glen is being treated may we not that is very good Hazel Miss Land commented enthusiastically many persons a good deal older than you could not have stated the situation as clearly as you have stated it yes I think I may say that I am almost glad that we are being watched by a spy but I didn't call you out here to have a long talk with you girls there really isn't much to say right now first I wanted you all to understand clearly that we are being watched and for what purpose Langford convicted himself when he asked for the double room next to the one occupied by Catherine and me and offered to pay the regular rate for two he thinks that he is able to maintain an appearance of utter disinterest in us and throw us off our guard but he overdoes the thing he makes too big an effort to appear unconscious of our presence it doesn't jive at all with the expression of decided interest I have caught on his face on two or three occasions and I flatter myself that I successfully concealed my interest in his interest in us now there are two things I want to say to you and we will return first do your best every one of you to throw Langford off the track by affecting the most innocent disinterest in him as of no more importance to us than the most obscure tourist on earth don't overdo it just make yourself think that he is of no consequence and act accordingly without putting forth any effort to do so the best way to affect this is to forget all about our mission when he is around second we must find out where the Graeme Cottage is and then determine where we want to locate our camp somewhere in the vicinity of the Graeme Cottage of course let me go out on a scouting expedition to find out where they live Catherine requested and let me go with her begged Ruth Hazelton all right Miss Ladd is centered I'll commission you two to act as spies to approach the border at the enemy's country and make a map of their fortifications but whatever you do don't get caught keep your heads don't do anything foolish or spasmodic and keep this thing well in mind that it is far better for you to come back empty handed than to make them suspicious of any ulterior motive on your part end of chapter 8 chapter 9 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information all to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 9 Further Plans Now Girls said Miss Ladd in Catherine and Hazel let me hear what your plan is if you have any if you haven't any we must get busy and work one out but you must not start such an enterprise without having some idea as to how you should go about it but I will assume that a suggestion must have come to you as to how best to get the first information we want or you would not have volunteered can't we work out an honour plan as we decide upon our duties and how we are to perform them Hazel inquired certainly the Guardian replied I was going to suggest that very thing what would you propose Hazel well something like this the latter replied that each of us be assigned to some specific duty to perform in the work before it and that we be awarded honours for performing those duties intelligently and successfully very well I suppose this work you and Catherine have selected may count toward the winning at the bead for each of you but what will you do after you have finished this task which can hardly consume more than a few hours why not make them a permanent squad of scouts to go out and gather advance information needed at any time before we can determine what to do Marian Stanlock suggested that's a good idea Miss Ladd replied but it will have to come up at a business meeting of the campfire in order that honours may be awarded regularly meanwhile I will appoint you two girls as scouts of the fire and this can be confirmed at the next business meeting we will also stipulate the condition on which honours will be awarded but how will you go about to get the information we now need first I would look in the general residence directory to find out where the Grahams live Catherine replied yes that is perhaps the best move to make first but the chances are you will get nothing there can you tell me why because there are probably few summer cottages within the city limits Hazel volunteered exactly the Guardian agreed well if the city directory fails to give you any information what would you do next consult a telephone directory Catherine said quickly fine Miss Ladd exclaimed what then they probably have a telephone wouldn't be much society folks if they didn't Catherine continued and there would no doubt be some sort of an address for them in the phone book yes and that would give us some sort of guide for beginning our search we wouldn't have to use the names of the people we are looking for that is excellent Miss Ladd exclaimed enthusiastically if you two scouts use your heads as cleverly as that all the time you ought to get along fine in your work but go on what next would you do go and find out where the people live that needn't be hard then we'd look over at the lay of the land to see there were a good place nearby for us to pitch our tents yes put in hazel and if we found a good place nearby we'd begin the real work that we came here to do by going to the Graham House and asking who owns the land fine again Miss Ladd said I couldn't do better myself maybe not as well I did think of going with you on the first trip but I guess I'll leave it all to you let's go back to the hotel now and while you two scouts are gone scouting the rest of us will find something to entertain us maybe we'll take a motorboat ride they started back at once and were soon at the hotel Catherine and Hazel decided that they would not even look for the address of the Graham's in the directories at the hotel but would go to a drugstore on the main business street for this information the other girls waited on the hotel portico while they were away on this mission they were gone about 20 minutes and returned with a supplier picture postcards to mail to their friends on a piece of paper Catherine had written an address and she showed it to Miss Ladd here is what the letter read stony point that's about three miles up the lake Hazel said we thought we'd hire an automobile and go up there do said Miss Ladd approvingly and we'll take a motorboat and ride up that way too if we can get one my dear now we'll make it a double inspection part by land and part from the lake we'll meet you at a landing at stony point if there is one and we'll bring you back in the boat now you Catherine and Hazel wait here while I go and find a motorboatman and make arrangements with him I'll go with you said Violet Monday the Guardian and Violet hastened down toward the main boat landing while the other 12 girls waited eagerly for a successful report on this part of the proposed program End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 at Campfire Girls at Twin Lakes this is a Libravox recording all Libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information all to volunteer please visit Libravox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyn Campfire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 10 a trip to Stony Point Ms. Ladd and Violet returned in about 20 minutes and reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made for a trip up the lake they were to start in an hour and a half then Catherine and Hazel engaged an automobile for a few hours drive and before the motorboat started with its load of passengers they were speeding along a hard McAdam Road toward the point around which centered the interest vacation plans at Fairbury and their sudden departure on a very unusual and very romantic journey Twin Lakes is a summer resort town located on the lower of two bodies of water similar in size configuration and scenery the town has a more or less fixed population of about 2500 most of whom are retired folk of means or earn their living directly or indirectly through the supplying of amusements comfort, sustenance for the thousands of pleasure and recreation seekers that visit the place every year each of the lakes is about four miles long and half as wide a narrow river straight or rapids nearly a mile long connects the two originally this rapids was impathable by boats larger than canoes and even such little craft were likely to be overturned unless handled by strong and skillful canoemen but some years earlier the state had cleared this passage by removing numerous grape boulders and shelves of rock from the bed of the stream so that although the water rushed along just as swiftly as ever the passage was nevertheless safe for all boats of whatever draft that moved on the two lakes which had connected the lower of the twin bodies of water had been named Twin One because perhaps it was the first one seen all more often seen by those who chose the name the other was Twin Two geographically speaking it may be these names should have been applied vice versa the Twin Two was fed first by a deep and wide river whose source was in the mountains 200 miles away and Twin One received these waters after they had laid the shores of Twin Two the road followed by Catherine and Hazel in their automobile drive to Stony Point was a well-kept thoroughfare running from the south end of Twin One in gracefully curved windings along the east border of the lake sometimes over a small stretch of rough or hilly shoreland but usually through heavy groves of hemlock pine, oak and other trees more or less characteristic of the country here and there along the way was a cottage or summer house of more pretensions proportions usually constructed near the water or some distance up on the side at the hill shore with a kind of terrace fork leading down to a boat landing the trip was quickly made Stony Point the girls found to be a picturesque spot not at all devoid of the bird and beauties of nature in spite of the fact that geographically it was well named this name was due principally to a rock form promontory jutting out into the lake at this point and seeming to be better deep into the lofty shore elevation right here was a cluster of cottages not at all huddled together but nonetheless a cluster it viewed from a distance upon the lake and in this group as summer residences appeared to be almost sufficient excuse for the drawing up of the petition for incorporation as a village that very few of the owners of these houses lived in them for the winter months the main and centrally located group consisted of a hotel and a dozen or more cottages known as the hemlocks and so advertised in the outing and vacation columns of newspapers of various cities on arriving at the point Catherine and Hazel paid the chauffeur and informed him they would not need his machine any more that day then they began to look about them they were rather disappointed and decidedly puzzled at what they saw evidently they had a considerable search before them to discover the location of the Graham Cottage without making open inquiry as to where it stood first they walked out upon the promontory which had a flat table like surface and was well suited for the arousing of the curiosity of tourists there they had a good view up and down the bluff jagged hilly and tree laden coast it's eleven o'clock now said Hazel looking at a wrist watch the motorboat will be here at about one o'clock and we have two hours in which to get the information and we want to share honours for success with the other girls when they arrive let's take a walk through this place and see what we can see Catherine suggested the road we came along runs through it and undoubtedly there are numerous paths this seemed to be the best thing to do and the two girls started from the point toward the Macadam Highway Catherine was soon reached and they continued along this road northward from the place where they dismissed the automobile half a mile they travelled in this direction their course keeping well along the lake shore they passed several cottages of designedly rustic appearance and buried as it were amid a wealth of tree foliage and wild entanglements of shrubbery suddenly Catherine caught hold of Hazel's arm and held her back did you hear that she inquired yes I did Hazel replied it sounded like a child's voice crying and not very far away either listen there it is again it was a half smothered sob that reached their ears and seemed to come from a comp of bushes to the left of the road not more than a dozen yards away both girls started for the spot circling around the bushes and peering carefully cautiously ahead of them as they advanced the subdued sobs continued and led the girls directly to the spot once they came presently they found themselves standing over the form of a little boy frightened tear-stained face turned up toward them while he shrunk back into the bushes as if fearing the approach of a fellow human being End of chapter 10 Chapter 11 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyn Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 11 Miss Perfume Into Fears The little fellow retreated into the bushes as far as he could get and grouched there in manifest terror Catherine and Hazel spoke gently sympathetically to him but with no result at first except to frighten him still more if possible Don't be afraid little boy Hazel said reaching out her hands towards him we won't hurt you but he only shrunk back father putting up his hands and crying don't, don't what can be the matter with him said Hazel he doesn't seem to be demented he's really afraid of something Catherine looked all around carefully through the trees and into the neighbouring bushes I can't imagine what it can be she replied there's nothing in sight that could do him any harm but do you know Hazel the idea that may be worth considering suppose this should prove to be the little boy for whom we are looking that could hardly be Hazel answered dubiously look at his thread bear clothes and how unkept and neglected he appears to be he surely doesn't look like a boy for whose care $250 is paid every month don't forget what it was that sent us here and reminded isn't it just possible that this little boy's pride is proof of the very condition we came here to expose yes it's possible Hazel replied thoughtfully at least we ought not neglect to find out what this means then turning again to the crouching figure in the bushes she said what is your name little boy is it Glen at the utterance of this name the youth shook as with a goo look out Hazel he'll have a spasm Catherine cautioned he thinks we are not his friends and are going to do something he doesn't want us to do let me talk to him listen little boy she continued addressing the pitiful crouching figure we're not going to hurt you we'll do just what you want us to do we'll take you where you want to go will that be alright a relaxing at the tense attitude of the boy indicated that he was somewhat reassured by these words his fists went suddenly to his eyes and he began to sob hysterically Hazel moved toward him with more synthetic reassurance when there was an interruption of proceedings from a new source a girl about 18 years old stepped up in front of the two campfire girls and reached forward as if to seize the juvenile refugee with both hands she was rather ultra-stallishly clad for a negligee summer resort community wearing a pleated tattered skirt and george crepe waist and a white sailor hat of expensive straw with the bright blue ribbon around the crown Hazel afterwards remarked that her face was as cold as an iceberg and the odor of perfume about her was enough to expect a field of flocks and shooting stars the boy sees sobbing as he beheld this new arrival and his face became white with fear while he shrunk back again into the bushes as far as he could get the girl of much perfume and stylish attire seemed to be unmoved by the new panic that seized him but took hold of him and dragged him roughly out of his hiding place oh do be careful pleated Hazel don't you see he's scared nearly to death you may throw him into a spasm is that any of your business the captor at the frightened youth snapped looking defiantly at the one who addressed her he's my brother and I guess I can take him back home without any interference from a perfect stranger he's run away I beg your pardon Hazel said gently but it didn't seem to me to be an ordinary case of fright I didn't mean to intrude but he's such a dear little boy I couldn't help being sympathetic he's a naughty bad runaway and ought to be whipped the girl with the cold face returned as she started along a path through the timber dragging the little fellow after her isn't that a shame Hazel muttered digging her fingernails into the palms of her hands my but I just like to she stopped for want of words to express her feelings not too righteously and Catherine came to her relief by swinging the subject along a different track do you really believe that boy is Glen Irving she inquired no I suppose not Hazel answered dejectedly you heard that girl say he was her brother didn't you well Glen has no sister but do you know I really am disappointed to find that he isn't the boy we are looking for for my heart went right out to him when I first saw his crouching form and white face moreover I can hardly bear the thought of leaving him in the hands at that frosted bottle of cheap cologne Catherine laughed at the figure you've painted her picture right she said warmly come on let's follow her we have as much right to go that way as she has must go some way anyway alright lead the way Hazel said with smiling emphasis on the way to direct the attention to Catherine's phonetic repetition the latter started along the path that had been taken by the girl and her frightened prisoner and Hazel followed the two in advance were by this time out of sight beyond the thicket of bushes and small trees but Catherine and Hazel did not hasten their steps as they preferred to trust to the path to guide their steps rather than the view of the persons they sought to follow in fact they preferred to trust to the element of chance rather than run a risk of arousing the suspicion of the cold-faced girl with the perfume only once did they catch sight of her in the course of their hesitating pursuit and this view was so satisfactory that they stopped short in order to avoid possible detection if the girl should look back a turn in the path brought them to the hip of the elevation where the ground began to slope down to the lake and near the downward bend at this beach hill was a rustic cottage with an equally rustic garage to the rear and on one side a cleared space for a tennis court at the door of the cottage was the girl with the pleated skirt and white sailor hat still leading the now submissive but quivering youth fine Catherine exclaimed under her breath things have turned out just right if that should prove to be the Graham home we couldn't wish for better luck come on let's back through the timber and approach this place from another direction they mustn't suspect that we followed that girl and the little boy end of chapter 11 chapter 12 of campfire girls at twin lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgine campfire girls at twin lakes or the quest of a summer vacation by Stella M. Francis chapter 12 the man in the auto cautiously Catherine and Hazel withdrew from the path into a thicket and then retreated along the path by which they had approached the house they continued their retreat to the point where the path joined the automobile road and we agreed the thicket within which they had discovered the frightened runaway child now I tell you what we ought to do Catherine said we ought to follow this road about a mile maybe to get a view of the layer of the land and then return to this spot near it we can get the information we want after we learn more at the camping possibilities and can talk intelligently when we begin to make enquiries and when we get back Hazel added we'll go to some neighbouring house and ask all about who lives here and who lives there and of course we'll be particular to ask the name of the family of whom lives that's the very idea Catherine agreed enthusiastically that we haven't any time to waste for it is nearly 12 o'clock now and we have only a little more than an hour to work in if the motorboat arrives on time we'd better not try to walk a mile half a mile will be enough maybe a quarter just enough to enable us to talk intelligently at the land right around here they walked north along the road nearly half a mile found a path which led directly toward the lake followed it until within view of the water's edge satisfied themselves that there were several excellent camping places along the shore in this vicinity and then started back they had passed three or four cottages on their way and at one of these they stopped to make inquiries as planned a pleasant-faced woman in comfortable domestic attire met them at the door and answered their questions with readiness that bespoke familiarity with the neighborhood and acquaintance with their neighbors Catherine and Hazel experienced no slight difficulty in concealing their eager satisfaction when Mrs. Scott the woman they were questioning said the people who have the cottage just north of us are the Pruits of Wilmington those just south of us are the Erzmans of Richmond and those just south of the Erzmans are the Graham's of Baltimore I think I am not very well acquainted with that family I am sure we would be delighted to have a group of campfire girls near us and you ought to have no difficulty in getting permission to pitch your tents this land along here belongs to an estate which is managed by a man living in Philadelphia he is represented here by a real estate man Mr. Ferris of Twin Lakes he probably will permit you to camp here for a little or nothing the girls thank the woman warmly for this information and then hurried away to call at the Graham Cottage now Hazel said as they hasten back to the road we have all the preliminary information that we want the next thing for us to do is to get back to the point and meet the boat when it comes in and have a talk with the other girls I suppose our first move then ought to be to go to Twin Lakes and get permission from the real estate man Ferris to pitch our tents on the land he has charged of the two girls kept up their rapid walk until within a few hundred feet of the drive that led from the main road to the cottage occupied by the Graham's then they slowed up a little as they saw an automobile approaching ahead of them the machine also slowed up somewhat as it neared the drive suddenly Hazel exclaimed half under her breath it's going to stop I wonder what for yes and there's something familiar in that man's appearance Catherine said slowly why? she did not finish the sentence for the automobile was so near she was afraid the driver would hear her but there was no need for her to say what she had in her mind to say Hazel recognised the man and said be careful Catherine warned don't let him see that we know him just pass him as you would a perfect stranger but they did not pass the automobile as expected all those slowing up the machine did not stop and for the first time the girls realised the probable nature of the man's visit to Stony Point oh Hazel Catherine whispered turning in at the Graham place I bet he's come here to warn them against us Hazel returned it must be something of the kind Catherine agreed and then the near approach to the automobile rendered unwise any further conversation on the subject the girls were within 100 feet of the machine as it turned in on the Graham drive and found they had all they could do serve a calm and unperturbed demeanor as they met the keen searching gaze of the squint eyes of his lengthed the lawyer from Fairberry End of Chapter 12 Chapter 13 of Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne Camp Fire Girls at Twin Lakes or The Quest of a Summer Vacation by Stella M. Francis Chapter 13 A Nonsense Plot Catherine and Hazel walked past the drive into which Attorney Langford's had turned apparently without any concern or interest in the occupant of the machine but after they had advanced 40 or 50 yards beyond the drive Hazel's curiosity got the best of her and she turned her head and looked back the impulse to do this was so strong she said afterward that it seemed impossible for her to control the action as she met the gaze of the squint eyes of the man in the auto my that was a foolish thing for me to do she said as she quickly faced ahead again I suppose that look has done more damage than anything else since we started from Fairberry and to think that I above all others should have been the one to do it I'm ashamed of myself did he see you Catherine inquired he was looking right at me Hazel replied and that look was full of suspicion and meaning there's no doubt he's on our trail and suspect something of the nature of our mission oh don't let that bother you Catherine advised there's no reason why he should jump to a conclusion just because you look back at him that needn't necessarily mean anything but if you let it make you uneasy you may give us dead away the next time you meet him I believe he knows what our mission here is already with Catherine's fatalistic answer if that's the case you needn't worry any more about what you do or say in his presence said Hazel we might as well go to him and tell him our story and have it all over with I don't agree with you Catherine replied I believe that the worst chance we have to work against is the probability of suspicion on his part I don't see how he can know anything positively he probably merely learned of our intended departure between lakes and knowing that the Grahams were spending the summer here began to put two and two together I figure that he followed us on his own responsibility and that his visit at the Graham Cottage today is to give the morning of our coming Hazel added yes very likely Catherine agreed I'd like to hear the conversation that is about to take place in that house I bet it would be very interesting to us no doubt of it said the other and it might prove helpful to us in our search for the information we were sent to get don't you think it's strange Hazel that your aunt should select a bunch of girls like us to do so important a piece of work as this Catherine inquired this question had puzzled her a good deal from the moment the proposition had been put to her although she had received it originally from Mrs. Hutchins even before the matter had been broached to Hazel she had not questioned the wisdom of the move but had accepted the role of advocate assigned to her as if the proceeding were very ordinary and common sensible if you hadn't restricted your remark to a bunch of girls like us I would answer yes Hazel replied I'd say that it was very strange for Aunt Hannah to select a bunch of girls to do so important work as this but when you speak of the bunch as a bunch of girls like us I reply no it wasn't strange at all I'm afraid you're getting conceited Hazel Catherine protested gently I know you did some remarkable work when you found your aunts missing papers but you shouldn't pat yourself on the back with such a resounding slap I wasn't referring to myself particularly Hazel replied with a smile suggested of something more coming I was referring principally to my very estimable campfire chums and of course it would look foolish for me to attempt to leave myself out of the compliment I suppose I shall have to admit that I am a very classy girl because if I weren't I couldn't be associated with such a classy bunch see either I have to be classy or accuse you other girls of being common like myself I'm quite content to be called common said Catherine but I don't think you are common and that's where the difficulty comes in won't you be generous and call me classy and I'll admit I'm classy to keep company with my classy associates we can do likewise and we can all be an uncommonly classy bunch of common folks if we could be talking a string of nonsense like this every time we meet Mr. Langford we could throw him off the track as easy as scat said Hazel meditatively what do you say Catherine let's try it the next time he's around we'll be regular imp what's the word impromptu actors we mustn't overdo it Catherine cautioned of course not why should we we'll do just as we did this time let one idea lead on to another in easy rapid succession think it over and whenever you get an idea pass it around and we'll be all primed for him it'll be lots of fun if we get him guessing and V to our advantage too Hazel and Catherine reached the point in time to see the motorboat containing the other members of the fire approaching about a mile away they did not know of course who were in the boat and as it was deemed wise not to indulge in any demonstrations no one on either side did any signalling but they were not long in doubt as to who the passengers were a flight of steps led from the top of the point to the landing and the two advanced fires as they were now quite content to be called walked down these and we're waiting at the water's edge when the boat ran up along the piles supported platform end of chapter 13 chapter 14 of camp thigh girls at Twin Lakes this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Lucy Burgoyne camp thigh girls at Twin Lakes or the quest of a summer vacation by Stella M. Francis sparring for a fee Piers Langford drove the automobile in which he made his first trip to Stony Point up to the end of the drive near the Graham Cottage and advanced to the front entrance the porch on which he stood awaiting the appearance of someone to answer his note there was no bell at the door was bordered with the railing of rough shewn that uniformly selected limbs of hardwood or saplings the main structure of the house was of yellow pine but the outer trimmings were mainly of such rustic material as the railing of the porch the front door was open giving the visitor a fairly good view of the interior the front room was large and fairly well furnished with light inexpensive furniture grass rugs and an assortment of nondescript catch as catch can but not unattractive art upon the walls Langford who was not a sleepy schemer was able to get a good view of the room before anyone appeared to answer his knock it was a woman who appeared a sharp featured well dressed matron with a challenging eye perhaps no stranger or person out of the exclusive circle that she assumed to represent ever approached her without being met with the ocular demand who are you Pierce Langford recognised this demand at once if he had been a less indolent character this unscrupulous attorney might have made a brilliant success as a criminal lawyer in a metropolis content with the limitations of a practice in a city of 3,500 inhabitants Fairberry his hometown was of itself indicative of his indolence and yet when he took a case he manifested gifts of shrewdness that would have made many another lawyer of much greater practice jealous Attorney Langford's indolence and indolence were alternately intermittent when the nerve centres of his shrewdness were stimulated his indolence lapsed and he was very much on the alert the present was one of those instances he knew something by reputation of the woman who confronted him he had had indirect dealing with her before but he had never met her however he was certain that she would recognise his name is this Mrs Graham he inquired although he scarcely needed to ask the question it is she replied with evidently habitual precision my name is Langford Pierce Langford he announced and then waited for the effect of this limited information the woman started it was a startle start the challenge of her countenance wavered the precision of her manner became an attitude of caution not Pierce Langford of she begun the man smiled on one side of his mouth the very one none other he answered cunningly not to be in the least obscure I am from the pretty quiet and somewhat sequestered city of Fairberry you know the place I believe I have never been there and I hope I shall never have occasion to go to your diminutive metropolis she returned rather savagely no the visitor commented with a rising inflection for retricle effect by the way may I come in certainly answered recovering quickly from a partial lapse of mindfulness of the situation the woman turned and led the way into the house and the visitor followed Mrs Graham directed the lawyer to a reed rocking chair and herself sat down on another reed rest of the armchair variety the woman by this time had recovered something of her former challenging attitude well Mr Lankford what is the meaning of this visit very much me Mrs Graham was the reply and a very much significance to you I suspect I come here well primed with information which I am sure will cause you to welcome me as you perhaps would welcome nobody else in the world Mrs Graham leaned forward eagerly expectantly apprehensively you come as a friend I assume she said have you any reason to doubt it the man inquired if it were otherwise I must necessarily come as a traitor I hope you will not entertain any such opinion of me as that as long as you treat me fairly you'll find me absolutely on the squared for you I hope so return the woman in a tone of voice that could hardly be said to convey any significance other than the dictionary meaning of the words but let's get down to business what is this information that you come here primed with has it to do with the old subject certainly very intimately and with nothing else she even asks with more eagerness than she intended to disclose well there are some spies in this neck of the woods spies the woman exclaimed betraying still more of the eagerness she was still struggling against yes spies that's exactly what they call themselves who are they how do you know they are here to spy on me I got wind in a roundabout way as a result of talk on the part of Mrs. Hutchins servants that there was something doing with Twin Lakes as a central point of interest I suspected at once that your interests were involved so I stole slyly Willie Hawkshaw alike up to their rendezvous one night and listened to some of them as they discussed their plans and some of them Mrs. Graham interrupted how many are there oh a whole troop of them that's the funny story the woman commented dubiously searching the face of her visitor for an explanation of his to her queer statements not at all so funny when you hear it in detail Langford returned quietly well hurry up with the details the patient Mrs. Graham demanded there's no need of being in a hurry the lawyer said with provoking calmness business is business you see and full confidences should never be exchanged in a situation of this kind until a contract is drawn up signed, sealed witnessed and recorded in other words I ought to have an understanding before I go any further Mrs. Graham had no reason to doubt that this was coming sooner or later but she winced nevertheless when it came