."

That was the method we ultimately pursued and it worked most
satisfactorily.

Hutchins baked hot biscuits; and, by putting a cover over the pan, we
were enabled to get them to him before they cooled.

We prepared a really appetizing luncheon of hot biscuits, broiled ham,
marmalade, and tea, adding, at Aggie's instructions, a jar of preserved
peaches, which she herself had put up.

Tish made the raft while we prepared the food, and at exactly half-past
twelve o'clock we left the house. Mr. McDonald saw us coming and was
waiting smilingly at the upper end of the island.

"Great Scott!" he said. "I thought you were never going to hear me.
Another hour and I'd have made a swim for it, though it's suicidal with
this current. I'll show you where you can come in so you won't hit a
rock."

Hutchins had stopped the engine of the motor boat and we threw out the
anchor at a safe distance from the shore.

"We are not going to land," said Tish, "and I think you know perfectly
well the reason why."

"Oh, now," he protested; "surely you are going to land! I've had an
awfully uncomfortable accident--my canoe's gone."

"We know that," Tish said calmly. "As a matter of fact, we took it."

Mr. McDonald sat down suddenly on a log at the water's edge and looked
at us.

"Oh!" he said.

"You may not believe it," Tish said, "but we know everything--your
dastardly plot, who the red-haired man is, and all the destruction and
wretchedness you are about to cause."

"Oh, I say!" he said feebly. "I wouldn't go as far as that. I'm--I'm
not such a bad sort."

"That depends on the point of view," said Tish grimly.

Aggie touched her on the arm then and reminded her that the biscuits
were getting cold; but Tish had a final word with him.

"Your correspondence has fallen into my hands, young man," she said,
"and will be turned over to the proper authorities."

"It won't tell them anything they don't know," he said doggedly. "Look
here, ladies: I am not ashamed of this thing. I--I am proud of it. I am
perfectly willing to yell it out loud for everybody to hear. As a matter
of fact, I think I will."

Mr. McDonald stood up suddenly and threw his head back; but here
Hutchins, who had been silent, spoke for the first time.

"Don't be an idiot!" she said coldly. "We have something here for you to
eat if you behave yourself."

He seemed to see her then for the first time, for he favored her with a
long stare.

"Ah!" he said. "Th