“What makes you think the Gypsies took it?” asked Mabel. “Of course they took it!” cried Jack. “Who else? We come back to find our camp looted, to quote Natalie, and——” “Oh, Jack! You’re making fun of me?” she exclaimed. “I am not, Nat! Looted is a dandy word. Anyhow, our camp is cleaned out, Blake’s best handkerchief is gone, and good riddance to that Italian opera, I claim——” “You wait!” threatened the loser. “I’ll get even with you all right!” “And then our canoe is gone,” went on Jack, ignoring the protest. “The Gypsies must have been going about the lake in some kind of boat. They saw our camp deserted, and helped themselves. Then they towed off our canoe.” “But how do you account for them not taking anything from our camp?” asked Mabel. “Oh, they were too polite,” said Blake. “Besides, they may not have had time. Well, if we’re going to get a move on, let’s do it!” “Come over in about fifteen minutes,” suggested Mrs. Bonnell. “We’ll be ready for you then. Come on, girls,” and she led the way back to Dogwood camp, leaving the boys to discuss among themselves the queer happenings, while the girls were no less exercised over what had occurred. “Oh, dear!” exclaimed Natalie. “I don’t like these Gypsies so near at hand. It makes me nervous.” “They’re not near,” said Mabel. “Why, are you afraid of being kidnapped?” “Hardly,” replied Natalie. “But who knows? They may take all our clothes some day when we’re not at camp, and we’d have to go home in these suits.” “If they all became us as well as yours does you, Nat,” said the Guardian, “I’m sure we wouldn’t object. I’m sure mine makes me look ever so much stouter. I really must exercise more and eat less.” “If the Gypsies make off with our larder we’ll all of us eat less,” suggested Alice with a laugh. “Well, we must see what we can give the boys. I know they must be nearly famished.” And from the manner in which the campers of Stony Point did justice to the hasty meal that the Camp Fire Girls prepared, it was evident that Alice’s conjecture was right. “And now for the Point!” cried Blake. “Shall we help you lock up, girls?” “Such locking as we can do,” spoke Marie. “I wish there was some way of making a tent more secure. The next time we go camping we must have a log cabin. We can lock that.” “Leave a lantern burning,” suggested Phil. “That will make any unwelcome visitors think some one is at home. That’s what we always do.” The girls agreed that this might be a good plan, and a light was left within the tent, securely fastened against the possibility of an upset, should a squirrel or other prowler enter in search of food. Another lantern was lighted and hung outside, and the boys, having done likewise at their camp, the motor-boat was gotten in readiness for the trip to the Point after supplies. “And we’ll keep a lookout for our canoe on the way,” suggested Phil. “Not much chance of spotting it after dark,” replied Blake.