unt Hannah?" pressed Grace. The girls sensed tragedy now.

"Says she is, but she ain't, I'm going to ask Captain Dave for my papers
and prove it." Kitty was recovering her courage, perhaps at the thought
of battle.

Louise longed to throw her arms about the child and tell her that her
precious papers were that very moment in the Hart family safe, but she
knew the time had not come for the revelation.

"And she said she'd send them after me," moaned Kitty. "So I'm goin' to
run away."

"Send whom after you?" followed Corinne.

"The reform school people, and I would be put behind bars for life." The
sharp dark eyes gleamed until it seemed sparks would fly, but they were
glints of pure terror, the girl was panic-stricken.

"Just don't you worry, Kitty. We'll stand by you, and you shall never be
put in such a place," Julia assured her. "Have you forgotten Captain
Dave?"

"No, but she is so much smarter than any one else. And I can't get off
this Point without she sees me, and then she might send the police after
me."

That the fearful threat had been held over poor Kitty's head was now
easily guessed--perhaps this was why she had been so secretive about
Luna Land?

"I'll run down to the dock and tell Neal to sail around the bay for a
half hour," suggested Cleo. "Then, we can sit right down and talk things
over with Kitty."

"And here is Lovey with a letter from Bentley," said Kitty, now turning
to the pigeon that had been hopping about, and picking at invisible
bugs. "Whatever would I have done without Bentley. Come, Lovey!"

Tame as a kitten the pigeon strutted up to Kitty's hand. She fondled it,
gave it some crumbs from her pocket, then, from under the gray and white
wing took the tiny quill that held the message.

Cleo had returned, and the girls looked on in wonder, while Kitty
unrolled the little slip, and deciphered the message.

"Yes, she's over there yet, Bentley says. And Royal is crying for me."
At this she threw up the tousled head and glared defiance.

"I'm going right back," she cried. "She shan't scare me off now. That's
just what she wants to do. She wants to steal Royal away, but she
shan't, she shan't!" and only a hold on Kitty's arm, made as the girls
realized she was running off, held her for another moment.

"Who is Royal?" demanded Cleo. "Tell us! We must know."

"I can't tell you. I'm pledged not to, and don't you think I have to
keep a pledge? Do I?" This last was almost an appeal.