"But I'll _see_ if she's going, anyway," Sidney had cried and had raced off, a sweater over her arm. "I wish I could tell her how very important it is and then she'd understand, but I can't for maybe she wouldn't understand," Sidney thought as she hurried to the rendezvous. "Gee, how'd you ever get away?" asked Lav, admiringly, but Sidney had no opportunity to explain for at that moment Mart joined them, eager and excited. "I put some cookies in my pocket," she exclaimed. "You can't tell what'll happen." "Good. And I've got matches." Sidney wished she had thought of something to bring. Lav went on: "It isn't dark enough to go out yet. We got to be awful careful. You girls sort o' walk up the beach as though we weren't all together." Lavender was actually pale and his eyes burned fiercely. Sidney looked at him admiringly. She knew he was not thinking of the reward but of the fair name of the Cape. Obediently the girls strolled up the beach. And, as they turned, a voice hailed them. To their consternation Pola came flying toward them. At sight of her Sidney bit her lips with vexation. She gave a sidewise glance at Mart and saw Mart's chin set stubbornly. "Sidney--wait a minute!" Pola called and Sidney could do nothing but wait until Pola came up to them. "I thought you were going to stay in Chatham tonight." "I should say _not_!" Pola had enough breath to make her answer expressive. "I was never so bored in my life. Those Truxton girls are _stupid_. And I kept wondering what you were doing. I coaxed mother to let Shields bring me back and she said she would provided I came and stayed with you tonight. Can you squeeze me in? Dug will give me his room, I know." Sidney cast a wild glance toward Mart. She started to answer, then stopped. Pola looked from her to Mart and back again to Sidney. "What's the mystery? If you don't want me I'll go to the hotel." "Oh, Pola, it isn't that. It's--it's--" "Sidney Romley I'll bet you're up to something! And if you are, you simply have got to let me in on it! I'm just pepped up to some excitement. Tell me what's up." The girls turned slowly and walked toward Lav and the dory, Pola between them. "It isn't any fun," Sidney explained slowly. "It's something serious--and--and dangerous. And you'll have to ask Mart and Lav if you can come with us." "You'll let me go, won't you, Mart?" Pola begged with friendly entreaty, forgetting she had ever thought Mart a riot. Sidney introduced Pola to Lavender and turned away that she might not see the pain that flashed across Lavender's face. "Pola came back to stay all night with me. She wants to go with us and if she doesn't I guess I'll have to go back home." "I'll do anything you say," promised Pola. "I'm so curious that I'm fairly bursting." "I don't care, but you'll have to take off your shoes and stockings," muttered Lav, scarcely looking at Pola.