Long after the scouts had retired Mrs. Vernon heard them whispering to each other. Finally she called out:

"Why don't you girls go to sleep?"

"We can't, Verny; we're thinking of that reward," said Joan.

"And we've spent most of it already!" laughed Julie.

"You'll have plenty of time to plan about it, girls, for the Government--like most large bodies--moves very slowly. It may be next summer before you get the check," said the Captain.

"Never mind; it will be ready for the Adirondacks, then."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

A FURNITURE SHOWER

News of the raid on Dandelion Camp traveled swiftly, so that the head of police in Elmertown heard of the posse and the reward offered to capture the convicts.

He was going down the street after hearing the story and, meeting Mr.

Allison, stopped him.

"I suppose the scouts came home this afternoon," he said.

"The scouts! Why, no--why should they?" asked Mr. Allison.

"Is it possible that you have not heard?"

"Heard--heard what? Has anything terrible happened?" cried the frightened father.

Now, the policeman knew that no one in Elmertown had heard the story, but he liked to create an effect, so he explained carefully, "Why, two convicts got away from State's prison and were hiding on that mountain where your girls are camping."

"Good heavens! What happened?"

"Nothing more than their camp was broken up. All the food-stuff and furniture are gone. The men stole everything and what they could not carry away, they broke to bits."

"Why--how awful! Where were the scouts when this happened?" asked Mr.

Allison, trembling with apprehension.

"Oh, it seems they went to Bluebeard's Cave to celebrate the Fourth, and there they found an unconscious man who had been beaten almost to death by the rascals who, after robbing him, took him way back in the Cave and left him there. But the scouts discovered him, and saved his life."

"Well, now! that is something like it," said the father proudly.

"But it didn't spare their camp. When they got back they found everything gone, so they kept right on to Freedom and are staying at Mrs. Munson's hotel."

"Why there--they should have come home," said Mr. Allison.

"They couldn't, I s'pose. You see, they would have to be on hand to swear to warrants and everything. We police do things up according to law, you know."

"Maybe they'll be home to-day," ventured Mr. Allison.

"Like as not. Well, so long!"

Mr. Allison thanked the officer and hurried to his office. He rang up the Bentley's house and found Ruth's father at home.

"Say, Bentley, I just met the cop on our beat and he tells me the scouts had an awful time! Two escaped prisoners were hiding on the mountains, and smashed up the camp. Every bit of food and all the furniture broken to bits. The girls saved a man that the outlaws had beaten to a jelly."

"Good heavens! Were any of the scouts hurt in the fight?"

"No, but I guess they were pretty well frightened,--eh?"

"I should say so! What are we going to do about it--go out and bring them home?" said Mr. Bentley.

"Oh, the cop told me they were now at a hotel in Freedom, as they had to be on hand to testify to certain things. I suppose they will be home to-morrow."

"Let me hear from you if you hear anything new, will you?" asked Mr.

Bentley.

"Yes, and you do the same," replied Mr. Allison.

Hardly had both men hung up the receivers before the telephone bell at the Lee house tinkled. May answered the call. Two men were trying to get her. One said to the other: "Get off of this wire--it's busy."

Then the other replied: "I called the number first--I heard you come in----Now get off, I have to tell this party a very important story."

"Ho! that sounds like Allison's voice--is it you?"

"Yes,--is this Bentley?" asked the other voice.

"Ha, ha, ha! I was just going to tell the Lees about the robbers and the camp. But you can tell them, if you like."

"All right--hang up and I'll tell them," said Mr. Bentley.

Now, May had heard this conversation and when the men spoke of robbers and camp she trembled with fear. By the time Mr. Bentley had told his story, she was so weak that she had to sit down. Finally she managed to get in a word, so she asked:

"But where are the girls? Did anything happen to them?"

"Oh, they are all right! They're stopping at the Freedom Hotel until the police can get all their testimony."

"Thank goodness. The furniture can quickly be replaced, but the girls'

lives cannot. Now we will have to plan to refurnish their huts," said May.

"Refurnish--why! Won't you insist upon their coming home now?" asked Mr.

Bentley.

"Why should they come home now, just after they cleared the pests out of their vicinity? Of course not!"