When the nine o'clock bell rang the visitors promptly rose to go, nor were they detained by any overwhelming entreaties to prolong their stay. "Of all the sticks," began Ned, when they were at a safe distance. "Hush, Neddie, Rosabel is being properly brought up," interrupted Mrs. White with more smiles than frowns. "Properly! Save the mark! And if I had been a girl would you have done that to me? I did hope that Dorothy might be made comfortable here for some time, but if that is contagious I'll take her home myself. A case like that must be fatal," and Ned shook his head seriously. "And her cheeks?" asked Nat, "what do you call that?" "The very best," replied Tavia, "I know that kind is two dollars an ounce. I saw it in Rochester." "Then we'll fix her out at camp," decided Nat. "We will put up some kind of a game that calls for a face wash and a forfeit. If Rosy objects I'll get the boys to wash it for her." "Oh, that would be rude," insisted Dorothy. "Not for campers," insisted the unquenchable Nat, "It might be for ministers, but not for campers." It was not late enough to leave the porch, so the talk drifted to Dalton matters. "Now Dot," began Ned, "I'd like to hear more of the 'chaser' business. I am sure we have all heard the wrong story of it, and even at that I must admit it is not so slow--rather interesting. Give us the right version." "Let Tavia tell it," Dorothy begged off. "Well, who did the fellow turn out to be?" asked Ned. "He hasn't turned out yet," replied Tavia. "The last we heard of him he tried to throw Dorothy over the falls--" "Scamp," interrupted Ned. "Pity there's no fellows in Dalton big enough to lick a fellow like that." "Oh, there are plenty of them," declared Dorothy, at once up in arms for the Dalton boys. "But he is such a coward he never appears except when he is sure we are alone." "The entire boys' school hunted for him that day in the woods," added Tavia, "but he got away." "What on earth is he after?" went on Ned. "The Burlock money," promptly replied Dorothy. "At first we did not know that, but there is no doubt of it now. When he grabbed me he hissed into my ear, 'Did Miles Burlock leave his money with your father?' Oh!" exclaimed Dorothy, "I can't bear to think of it yet." "Excuse me, coz," spoke up Ned, "perhaps I should not have made you think of it." "Indeed, I scarcely ever get it out of my mind. It just haunts me." "That's why she left school," Tavia reminded them, "And I left to keep her company," she finished with a merry laugh at the idea, and its evident consequences. "A blessing all around," said Nat. "What would we have done if neither of you left and we got left--for this good time. I hope mom will kidnap Dorothy." "Indeed you cannot have her," declared Tavia. "I should pine away and die at Dalton without her." "Then stay at Birchland," suggested Ned. "Plenty of room."