h
of it as the last time she had examined the camp through her glasses.
The guardian smiled grimly at thought of the surprise they had given
those fun-loving boys. They had thought to make good their boast to get
the better of the Meadow-Brook Girls, but had met an ignominious
defeat.

"I should not be surprised to see that camp deserted to-morrow morning,"
mused Miss Elting. "I hope not. They are nice boys."

"Are they coming out again?" asked a voice at the guardian's side.

"No, Harriet. I think not. I am just taking a final look their way
before retiring. Did we leave the pails and pans upstairs?"

"Yes. Shall I bring them down?"

"Oh, no. It is not necessary. Morning will be time enough. Now go to
bed. We shall not be disturbed again to-night. Good night, girls. Sweet
dreams."

"And pleathant nightmareth," mumbled Tommy from under the blanket. She
was found curled up in a ball when the guardian went over to see that
the little girl was comfortable for the night. The light was blown out
just as Harriet sought her cot. Miss Elting was in bed a moment
afterwards, and peace and quiet again settled over the clumsy "Red
Rover." This peace, however, was not destined to last long. It was to be
rudely broken ere the morning dawned. From down the lake a canoe was
coming, propelled swiftly and silently by a pair of muscular arms. The
canoe, if it continued on its present course, would hit the "Red Rover"
fairly on its nose. But just before reaching the houseboat, the canoe
veered to one side a little and the paddle trailed the water behind.
The canoe glided along to one side of the "Red Rover," then stopped.

CHAPTER XVI

A MIDNIGHT VISITOR

The same dark canoe that Harriet Burrell had seen shoot out into the
lake before her the night she was reconnoitering near the camp of the
Tramp Club was now hovering about the houseboat. It would have appeared
almost uncanny to one not experienced in canoeing to observe the
absolute noiselessness with which the frail little craft was propelled
about the larger boat. When it was turned, it was as though the boat
were swinging on a pivot. When the half of its length was let down to
the water after such a swing, there followed not the slightest
suggestion of a splash.

Lulled by the gentle lapping of the water against the side of the boat,
the Meadow-Brook Girls slept soundly. On shore the boys of the Tramp
Club also were sleeping. The girls on board the "Red Rover," as