r anything that the detective might find out.

That evening Bet received a message from Mrs. Gordon. During the talk
she told Bet that Phil was worrying himself sick over the theft of the
fan.

"I know Phil wouldn't do it, Bet," his mother exclaimed.

"Of course he wouldn't. We girls have never blamed him, not even for a
second. It's that silly detective! Don't worry about it. We'll find
it, somehow!"

Bob Evans had gone away the day after the party and when he came back
and heard the accusation against Phil, he was ready to fight.

"The very first person I met when I got off the train told me that Phil
had stolen the fan belong to Colonel Baxter," he told Joy.

"Who said it?" cried Joy.

"A great friend of yours."

"No friend of mine would accuse Phil. The whole thing is ridiculous!"

"Why Edith Whalen said he was going to arrested within twenty-four
hours!"

"Lots she knows about it! But if that detective had his way, he might
be. I can't imagine anyone paying a man to be so stupid. We girls
have told him again and again that Phil had nothing to do with it."

"Has Phil been asked up to the Manor since that happened?" asked Bob.

"No, I don't think so. He's been up several times but it has been with
the detective or Chief Baldwin."

"Then you girls ought to ask him to go with you, just to show him and
everybody else chat you don't believe a word of all this gossip! Phil
wouldn't steal! I'd trust him with anything!"

But while Bob stormed and determined to clear his friend in some way,
his efforts were not successful. He made it a point to have Phil with
him wherever he went, but that did not clear the boy of suspicion.

The girls, as well as Bob, were anxious to do something for their
friend, but as the fan had disappeared and there was no evidence left,
they seemed to be getting nowhere. Bet and her chums were desperate.

The girls looked forward to the hike in the snow as a diversion that
would rest their tired nerves and help them to see more clearly on
their return.

CHAPTER XVI

HERMIT'S HUT

The next morning the girls found Bet with a tired, worried frown on her
face. "Girls, I just can't go!" she said.

"Bet dear, don't give up the hike. You're brooding too much over the
lost fan. Come on!" pleaded Shirley.

"Yes, Bet dear, don't back out! It will do you worlds of good!" And
Kit put both arms about her tenderly. "You're making yourself sick
with all this worry