rs and scouts and all the other
things, could possibly be carried across a lake, dragged over several
miles of water and not know anything about it. Can you explain why we
didn't wake up, Harriet Burrell?"

Harriet shook her head.

"And we are anchored just the same as we were last night," remarked
Jane. "It's spirits, girls. No mistake about that."

"Now, Jane," laughed Harriet. "You know very well that the mere fact
that our anchor was pulled up before we left the other side of the lake,
then let down on this side, makes your spirit theory impossible."

"It _wath_ thpookth," declared Tommy. "I thaw one thtanding on the
handle of the mop pail latht night after I went to bed. I heard the
water thplathh when he jumped in the pail."

"What a marvelous imagination you have," jeered Jane.

"All this talk doesn't help us to solve the mystery," averred Hazel.
"How did we get here?"

"We do not know, but we are going to find out," replied Harriet.

"How?"

"I can't tell you. Something will turn up to give us a clue to this and
the other mysteries. I have my suspicions of the Tramp Club in this
matter. I am very glad that the rope was not cut, this time, or thrown
overboard after being removed from the boat. If the boys are responsible
for this, rest assured they'll be the first to tell us. You know the
island that we admired so much from a distance, Miss Elting?

"We are within a mile of it now. After breakfast, with your permission
I'll row over," continued Harriet. "I want to see that island at close
range. Jane, will you come with me?" Jane was prompt to accept Harriet's
invitation. Miss Elting also was invited, but concluded to remain with
the other girls on the houseboat.

Harriet and her companion rowed rapidly to the island shortly after
breakfast. It was a good sized island, as they discovered by rowing down
one side of it, the side nearest to the shore of the mainland near which
the houseboat was anchored. The girls rowed in so close that they were
able to reach up and touch the foliage overhead and in places it trailed
in the water. The island was rocky, still it was heavily wooded. One
side of it was popular with picnic parties, but on the side where the
girls were few boats ever landed. As they were rowing slowly along the
edge, Harriet's eyes were constantly searching the shore.

"This is about what I thought we should find, Jane."

"What are you looking for, dear?"

"I am trying to find a place w