e at that sheriff with my
finger-nails if he'd come nearer. Don't I hate him--_just_?"

"Why--why, Lizzie!" gasped the gentle Mrs. Morse.

Here Laura interfered. "I believe I know what is the matter with
Lizzie, Mrs. Morse," she said.

"Well!" snapped Lil, in the background. "Let's hear it. The girl's
crazy. My mother would never have paid for such a creature to come
here with us if she'd known."

"Your ma needn't give me a cent, Miss," returned Liz, sullenly.

"What _is_ the matter with her, Laura?" asked Mrs. Morse again.

"She has somebody hidden in that tent," said Mother Wit, calmly.
"Isn't that the truth, Lizzie? Isn't Mr. Halliday in there--Mr. Norman
Halliday?"

"The bank robber!" shrieked Lil.

"Oh, oh!" gasped Nellie.

"Hurray for Liz!" exclaimed Bobby, but in a low tone.

"It cannot be?" queried Mrs. Morse.

"Yes he is. I got him here while youse folks was down talkin' to that
red-faced sheriff. He was good to me when I lived at that boardin'
house, in Albany, he was! I wouldn't give him up to that sheriff."

Mrs. Morse looked at Laura very gravely. "_You_ have known about this
for some time, Laura? You knew that the young man was on the island?"

"With Professor Dimp--yes," said Mother Wit, bravely.

"Professor Dimp has his own actions to answer for," said Jess' mother,
gravely. "But I am quite sure your mother would not approve of your
trying to help such a character as this young man seems to be."

"Wait a minute, Mrs. Morse," cried Laura. "Here come Chet and the
boys."

"The boys!" chorused the other girls.

"What has your brother to do with this affair?" asked Mrs. Morse,
wonderingly.

"I saw Chet wig-wagging a little while ago, and I answered and read
his message. He is bringing over a gentleman from Albany--a lawyer--to
see Professor Dimp and the young man who has been in hiding so long. I
think something important is going to happen," said Laura,
complacently. "Do let the Barnacle keep the sheriff up in that tree
for a little while longer."

CHAPTER XXV

"QUITE ALL RIGHT"

One amazing thing was happening after another. The girls of Central
High could scarcely keep up with the several happenings. On top of
Laura's statement the platform before the cook-tent heaved mightily,
and a man's head and shoulders appeared.

Lil shrieked again. Even Mrs. Morse stepped back in surprise. The
young man continued to push his way out, and finally climbed to his
feet.

It was th