g to do. She tiptoed to the
doorway, where she encountered Belle, and both walked to another part of
the bungalow.

"And do you really think it was a headache, Laura?" whispered Belle,
when the two were safe out of earshot of any of the others.

"She may have a headache, but I think it is more than that," was the
reply from Dave's sister. "Oh, Belle, if matters are as you think they
are, what in the world are we going to do?"

"I don't know of anything to do, Laura. I don't believe it would be a
wise thing to say anything to Jessie."

"Then suppose I talk to Dave?"

"You can suit yourself about that. But if I were you I'd be very
careful. Boys are as touchy as girls when it comes to a subject like
that."

"Do you really think so?"

"I certainly do."

"Then I will be very cautious. But I've just got to say something,"
declared Laura.

CHAPTER XVI

A STRANGE COMMUNICATION

The three boys had quite some sport going up the lake with Della Ford
and her aunt as passengers. Being towed by the motor-boat, they had
nothing to do but take it easy, and they spent the time in chatting of
things in general, and of moving pictures and fun on Mirror Lake in
particular.

"We would be pleased to have you come up some evening and take dinner
with us," said Della Ford, after consulting with the manager of the
moving-picture company. "Come up and bring that boy with his banjo, and
we'll have a lot of fun."

"All right, we'll be up some time," answered Phil.

"And don't forget, Mr. Porter, that some day you're to show me how to
catch a fish," called out the young actress.

"All right, I won't forget," answered Dave; and then the three boys
pushed the rowboat away from the dock, and started upon the return to
Bear Camp.

"She's a mighty pleasant girl, that's sure," remarked Phil, as he took
it easy on the stern seat, while Dave and Roger plied the oars.

"I think Dave has made a hit with her," responded Roger, with a sly wink
at the shipowner's son.

"If you don't look out I'll make a hit with somebody in this boat,"
declared Dave, his face flushing. "You attend to your rowing or we won't
get back in time for dinner."

"I thought you said that fellow, Ward Porton, was going to join the
company up here," remarked Phil, by way of changing the subject.

"All I know about it is what Mr. Appleby told me," returned Dave. "I'd
like first-rate to see him again and ask him some more about Link
Merwell."

"Do you