lived in a hut in the woods and called himself Hugo Billings, and also
about Miss Arbuckle and the album she had been so overjoyed to recover.
The boys listened with an interest that fast changed to excitement.

"Well, I should say there was something queer about it!" Ferd Stowing
broke out at last. "Especially about the man who lives in the woods and
makes fern baskets. He's either crazy or he's a thief or something."

"Gee, I wish you had told us about it while we were there!" said Chet
regretfully. "We might have been able to find out something--landed him
in jail maybe."

"Then I'm glad we didn't tell you," said Billie promptly.

"Why?" asked Chet, amazed.

"Because I felt awfully sorry for him," his sister answered softly. "And
I'd rather help him than hurt him. I'd like to see him smile again."

"Smile?"

"Yes, for he looked so awfully downhearted."

CHAPTER XXII

THE FURY OF THE STORM

The next day the boys went off again in spite of Mrs. Danvers' entreaties
to stay another night or two until the weather showed definite signs of
clearing up.

But the boys were decided--saying that since the mist had lifted they had
really no excuse for staying longer, and as Paul was evidently very
anxious to get to his father, Mrs. Danvers had nothing else to do but to
give in.

"It's true, the fog has lifted," she admitted, gazing up anxiously at an
overcast sky, "but after a calm like this we are sure to have a
storm--how much of one it's hard to tell. Well, go on. But promise me to
stay close to the mainland and to put in to shore if the weather man
looks too threatening."

The boys promised and the girls waved to them until _The Shelling_ was
only a tiny speck on the water. Then they turned rather sadly back toward
the Danvers' home.

"I feel as if somebody were dead or something," complained Vi, as they
neared the bungalow. "I don't know what's the matter with me."

"It's the weather, I guess," said Billie, feeling low in spirits
herself--a very unusual state for merry Billie. "We shall all feel better
when the sun comes out."

"If it ever does," said Laura, gloomily.

"It's got to," said Vi.

Half way home they saw Uncle Tom hurrying toward them with Robert Bruce
at his heels, and they wondered what the matter was.

"Hello!" he cried when he came within earshot. "I was just going to see
your dad, Connie. The boys haven't gone yet, hav