wished to say.

"I came to see about your plans for next summer's outing," said he.

The girls looked at him quizzically, for they thought he was joking.
Mrs. Vernon gasped, "Next summer! We're not through with this year yet!"

"I know that, but 'In times of peace prepare for war,' you know,"
laughed he.

"Tell us why you asked?" demanded Julie.

"Because I am planning a trip for my next outing, and I am debating
whether to invite any girl scouts to go with me."

"Where? Aren't you going to stay here next summer?" was the answer from
several girls.

"No, I have had an important letter to-day. And I am going to accept the
offer made me by the Government, but it will cost any girl scout more to
go with _me_ than it did to come to the Adirondacks."

"Then that settles our going! We haven't a cent left over after this
outing. If it hadn't been for those escaped felons last year we wouldn't
have been here, I suppose!" sighed Julie.

"If it had not been the reward for the capture of the two felons that
proved to be the means to bring you to the Adirondacks, there would have
been some other way of finding the supply for you. You see, girls, there
is always plenty of everything for you when the Source is unlimited,"
said Mr. Gilroy.

"Not one of us in Dandelion Troop have such a banker," laughed Judith.

"Then, if this is so, why need we worry about expenses for next summer's
outing with you?" added Joan, in response to his remark.

"I didn't ask you to worry," retorted Mr. Gilroy. "I only asked you to
remember that you have the invitation, but it is up to you to find the
channel of supply and break down the dam, so the supply will run
smoothly and continuously for your needs."

"How much shall we need, Gilly?" asked Julie, deeply interested in his
words.

"More than a thousand dollars for you all, I know that! But how much
more depends upon our itinerary, and that depends on the Captain."

"Oh, does she know about it?" chorused the girls.

"Not yet, but she will, shortly," laughed Mr. Gilroy.

All the coaxings from nine persuasive girls failed to move Mr. Gilroy
from the stand he had taken--not to tell about the next summer's plans.

But a week later, when the scouts were well nigh forgetting all about
his conversation, he brought a pleasant-faced gentleman to the camp to
visit the girls.

"This is Mr. Everard, scouts. He is anxious to meet Julia and
Antoinette, since I told him what clever rascals they