bundled piece of awning over the side of the Treddie, and safely ashore,
then climbed out themselves, and, like the firemen under burning
buildings, stood the True Treds, with that big piece of canvas stretched
under the leafy peak of the rocky archway.

"Ready!" called out Kitty.

A firmer grasp was made at every holding point, and then--a gentle thud.

Little Royal bounced like a circus baby in the life net.

Quickly two girls lifted him out and turned down to the launch, while
the others held the net for Kitty, who came in with a jump that brought
the rescuers to their knees, stifling a gale of laughter.

"All right--no bones broken," gasped Kitty. "Hurry, they may be after
us!"

Quickly they all scrambled in the launch, while little Royal was in
Neal's arms.

"I knew it, I knew it," he kept repeating. "And this is just like
daddy's little boat--"

"Girls!" exclaimed Kitty, "I found your slippers and stockings and the
bag among Aunt Hannah's things. They're in my bag."

"Where is she?" Cleo asked, too impatient to wait for a more opportune
moment.

"She came back ready to take Roy away," Kitty said defiantly. "But I
wouldn't trust her. I found a lot of papers and wireless messages, and
I wouldn't let her sneak off with Royal. I just made up my mind she
couldn't scare me any more, and I'd go to Uncle Dave's, and tell him all
about it."

"You are right," declared Louise. "I don't know very much about it, but
it can do no harm for this little darling to leave that island. He was a
regular prisoner there."

"You said it!" replied Kitty. "And having the poor angel roll in the mud
to get strong! Then sleeping in a hut to be outdoors, when I know
positive, his folks paid her thousands of dollars to keep their child in
a delightful high-class retreat--where everything was perfect, but very
costly."

"Oh, was that it?" asked Grace, looking at little Royal, as he helped
steer the boat.

"Yes, and more," insisted Kitty, her cheeks flaming with excitement.
"She promised me a hundred dollars if I would keep every one off the
island and look out for Roy. I thought it was a lot, but what about her
thousands? Then, when I got in the accident the other day, and she was
afraid folks might come here to see if I had pneumonia, she changed her
mind, and refused to give me any money. Now she is back, and I know
Royal's folks will soon be in New York and I just wouldn't trust her
with him any more. That's why I had to