vered, at their hiding place in the
woods.

Phyllis and Mollie heard her light footfalls and gave a united sigh of
relief. Their friend had escaped discovery. So far all was well!

Madge leaned over the opening of the cave, to reassure her friends
before she crawled into it again.

"It's all right!" she cried softly. "I saw no one, heard nothing. We
can get away, without any trouble, in another hour."

She crouched down to slip into the place of concealment. At the same
instant the three girls heard a noise. It was unmistakably the hurried
tramp of heavy feet! Mike Muldoon burst through the thicket of trees,
his face blazing with heat and anger.

CHAPTER XVIII

ON A STRANGE SHORE

Madge had just time enough to leap to her feet. She would not allow
their determined enemy to catch her while in the act of hiding.

"Keep still," she whispered quickly to Phyllis and Mollie. Then she
turned, with flashing eyes, to the approaching figure of Captain Mike
Muldoon.

"What do you want?" she demanded imperiously, stamping her foot. "Why
have you followed me through the woods?"

For a moment the man was speechless. It had not dawned on him that
Madge would turn upon him. He had expected her to burst into tears and
exhibit signs of fear.

"I want my daughter, and I want her quick, young woman," he answered
gruffly. "When I find her I will settle with you." He pushed past
Madge and dragged the unfortunate Mollie from her place of shelter.
Phil sprang out after her. Her black eyes were flashing with anger and
disappointment. She fastened a firm grip on Mollie's arm. If Mike
Muldoon jerked or shook his daughter, he would jerk and shake Phyllis
Alden, too, for nothing would induce her to let go her hold on Mollie.

"Let me go," whispered Mollie gently, looking affectionately into the
faces of her new friends. "I don't want you to be in trouble for my
sake. I ran away. It was no fault of yours." Mollie appeared to be
quite rational. She seemed to appreciate the girls' loyalty to her.

"Give up my daughter and get back to where you came from, and I will
let you off this time," roared Mike savagely. He did not think it wise
to deal roughly with the girls. Their friends would surely come to
look for them and hold him responsible for their disappearance.

"We won't go a step unless you will let Mollie go with us," returned
Phil wrathfully. "You shan't make her marry that horrible Bill. It is
u