body sees you." Vera lost no time in
doing as Elf said, while Dorothy and Nancy wasted not a moment, but sped
down the hall, and once safely in their room, sat down, laughing at what
they had seen.

Meanwhile, Vera raced along the hall, and into her room, flew to the
window and soon the precious bundle lay on the floor, the two girls
bending over it.

"Oo-oo! Cream-cakes! A box of fudge, frosted cake!" cried Elf, then.
"What's in this tin can?"

"Oysters," said Vera, "and we'll have a hot stew to-night after every
one is in bed!"

"My! But how can we cook it?" Elf asked.

"In the can," said Vera. "That's easy 'nough. There's a pint of oysters,
and three pints of milk all shaken up together in that two-quart can. We
can heat it over the gas jet. I'm sure they'll cook all right."

"Why, Vera Vane! It will take _hours_ to make it boil over that gas jet.
I guess we'll enjoy taking turns holding it, while we wait for it to
cook!"

"Pooh! It'll taste so good we'll forget our arms ache when we get the
very first spoonful!"

Elf was not sure about that, but Vera had a way of speaking as if what
she said settled the matter, so although not convinced, Elf made no
reply. "Come! Help me put these things away," cried Vera. "We don't want
any one to know about our fine little after-bedtime party, and we ought
to hide our treat before some one comes to our door."

So the cakes and fudge were placed on the shelf in the closet, where
with the big can full of oysters and milk they became close neighbors
with the hat-boxes.

Then Vera and Elf sat down to prepare their lessons for the next day.

They had invited Betty Chase and her chum, Valerie Dare, to spend the
evening with them, and enjoy the treat.

They were to go to bed at the usual time, have their light out at nine
o'clock, and as soon as they heard Miss Fenler pass down the hall, and
then descend the stairs, they were to open their door softly, close it
behind them, and then, with greatest caution, make their way along the
hall to Vera's room.

Night came, their lessons were prepared for the morrow, their lights
were out, when they heard Miss Fenler pass their door, then,--why did
she return and pass the door a second time?

Was it imagination, or did she pause before going on?

Their hearts beat faster, and Valerie laid her hand over hers, she
afterward said, to hush it so that the dreaded Miss Fenler might not
hear it.

"Has she gone?" whispered Betty, to