wag practising has been for," Margaret
declared. "I have seen the boys on the beach every morning so early.
I'm sure they know the code backwards and forwards."

"Exactly," agreed Louise. "How many brought manuals?"

"I did," replied Julia, but it was a solo.

"Then, we will all have to look over your shoulder, Julia dear," said
Cleo. "It would be dreadful if we missed a letter."

"How are we going to get in the contest though? That's what worries me,"
declared Helen.

"First, find out all about it," advised Cleo practically. "Then, follow
the advice of our friend what's-his-name at the landing. Louise, be
careful of Kitty's papers," she ordered. "Isn't it lovely to have won
the confidence of Captain Dave?"

"Lovelier still to live up to it," replied Louise, in her best
oratorical tone, "I would have preferred some one else to take the tin
box, but since I have it, I suppose I'll have to sit up nights watching
it," she deplored.

"Lucky it's only letters, and not deeds to some monarchy," put in Helen.
"But count on all of us, Weasie dear, to stand by you in case of any
safe-blowing at midnight."

"I'm so excited about the contest, I can almost forget Kitty and Luna
Land," gurgled Margaret. They were running along the lakeside, up to the
river landing, with the hope of gaining the boy's confidence over nut
sundaes.

"He's there! That's lucky!" Helen said, sighting in the open pavilion,
the desired Boy Scout, just in the act of sizzling a soda.

"And he has on a clean apron, a good sign," said Margaret under her
breath.

Tables nearest the water and farthest from land (thus most secluded)
were chosen, and favorite frappes were smilingly ordered.

"Listen to catch his name," whispered Cleo, but a call for "Tommie"
voided the suggestion. Tommie fetched their sundaes in that miraculous
way waiters have of carrying cup and saucers heaped up, just as jugglers
catch them.

"Been practicin'?" inquired Grace glibly.

"What for?" asked Tommie, whisking his towel over the table.

"Why, for the contest," answered Grace, as if the whole world should
know that.

"Oh, yes a little," admitted Tommie, gliding off to a new customer.

"Didn't notice that he waved any program," said Louise.

"Don't give up," Margaret encouraged. "I could manage another sundae."

"So could I if I had the price," said Helen dryly.

Cleo tapped on the table and Tommie sauntered back.

"Say Tommie, you know we are strangers here," she