endered a great service to the community."

And with this graceful little speech, Mr. Mendall and two of the men he
had brought with him took their leave, carrying with them the precious
bags, one of which Mollie so hoped would contain some, at least, if not
the whole, of her mother's silver. The other four men were left behind
to watch for the return of the gypsies.

"Oh, I don't know how I can wait till to-morrow," wailed Mollie, as they
started homeward. "I'm simply dying to know. I think they might have
opened the things while we were there. Horrid old things! The gypsies
probably wouldn't be back for another two weeks, anyway, and there
really wasn't any danger."

"But to think we had the luck to find it!" cried Betty, her eyes still
glowing. "And after we had given it up, too. Goodness, I'm glad you had
that tumble, Mollie."

"Thank you," sniffed Mollie. "Just the same," she added with a gleeful
little laugh, "I'd give a great deal to see Aunt Elvira's face when she
hears the story."

CHAPTER XXV

GLORIOUS NEWS

"I guess they will never come," said Mollie, gazing despairingly out
over the water. "They must have been gone at least an hour."

"Goodness, Mollie!--an hour," echoed Betty, in imitation of Mollie's
tragic tones. "Don't you know that it would take at least three hours
for the boys to go over, find out what Mr. Mendall has to say to them
and get back here? Remember they have to wait for the ferry," she added
significantly.

"Well, I know, but if it is going to take that long, we won't get home
to-day," Mollie grumbled. "Besides, I've _got_ to hear the news."

It was early in the morning of the day on which the Outdoor Girls and
the boys had decided to start for home. For days they had expected word
from Mr. Mendall. The boys had haunted the town hoping to hear from
him--but no word had come. Then suddenly Will had burst in upon the
others with the great news that he had almost run into Mr. Mendall
turning a corner, and that genial man had expressed great pleasure at
sight of him.

"Why, he said----" Will had reported excitedly, "he said that if he
hadn't met me, he fully intended coming over to camp--that he had
something to tell me that might be of great interest. And he wants us
fellows to come over first thing in the morning," he had finished
exultantly.

So it was that the girls were waiting impatiently for confirmation of
their hopes.

"We don't really have to go home to-day,