probably spent the money by this
time."

The discovery of the sealed can on the island did not banish from the
minds of the girls of Central High, however, the mystery of the stolen
shell. This was a tragedy that loomed bigger and bigger as the day of
the races approached. And it was very near now.

The twins were delighted to be able to row with their mates on the
eight-oared crew; but like the other members, they were quite hopeless
of winning the race if they had to use the old boat.

"Somebody who owed us a big grudge turned that trick of stealing the
shell," Bobby Hargrew declared, again and again.

"But we never did anything to the crews of the other schools to make
them hate us so," cried the doctor's daughter.

"Only threatening to beat them in the race," said Laura, doubtfully.

"That shouldn't be a sufficient reason for them to hate us," one of the
Lockwood twins declared. "It does just seem as though it was done out of
spite."

"And who's so spiteful toward the Central High eight?" demanded Bobby,
keenly.

"Now, Bobby!" cautioned Laura.

"That's all right, Mother Wit. You see the point just as clearly as I
do," declared Bobby. "You know who's been 'knocking' our crew all the
time----"

"Why--you don't mean----" began Jess, in wide-eyed wonder; but Laura
said:

"Hush! Don't say such a thing. We must not accuse people without some
ground for suspicion."

"How much ground do you want--the whole earth?" snapped Bobby, in deep
gloom.

So the name of the suspected culprit was not mentioned; but the little
coterie of friends looked wisely at each other, and nodded.

For, you see, when a girl is disloyal to her school and classmates, how
can they help suspecting her if evil should arise? A girl who will not
accept the decision of the majority in school affairs, who scoffs at the
efficiency of the various athletic teams--who never will be contented
unless she is in the lead of everything--can neither be popular nor
trusted. Disloyalty is a crime that every right-minded person abhors;
and although these girls did not mention the name of the person they
suspected, all realized who was meant when Bobby said:

"Well, the time is coming when she'll fly her kite too high! Everybody
will see what she is, and then she'll never be able to fool anybody
again--neither teachers, nor students of Central High. That's one
satisfaction."

"And yet, not very satisfactory at present," returned Laura Belding,
thou