"So you see," said Billie, "it would be foolish for you to start out to hunt your father when you know old Granny can be depended upon and Dr. Hume, too." Phoebe was not the only one who felt restless in camp that afternoon. All of them had the sensation of waiting for something. Only Alberdina seemed placidly content. Having been forgiven the pink clothes and having had her stolen money refunded, she went about her work, singing and yodelling in a melodious voice, and for lunch surprised them with a German cinnamon cake she had made during their absence in the village. "Why, you can cook, Alberdina?" exclaimed Billie, on whom cooking was beginning to pall. "I can a leedle coog." "Then you shall cook the dinner," announced Billie firmly, and Alberdina, who had not mentioned cooking in the bond, quailed before her stern gray eye and consented. The afternoon dragged slowly along. It was very hot and the women members of the camp lay on their cots in kimonos reading and napping. Percy, underneath, snored lustily, and Ben chopped wood and piled up the logs scientifically for a fire that evening. Alberdina's supper was distinctly German in flavor, but it was good and Billie and Nancy enjoyed freedom from the bondage of cooking the evening meal. After supper the wind freshened and it grew much cooler. "It's going to be a dark night. There's no moon," remarked Ben, wistfully. "Shall I light the camp fire? And then we can sit around and tell stories and sing songs," and because no one either assented or objected, owing to the peculiar restlessness that possessed them, he put a match to the pile of logs and presently the clearing was illuminated. The camp house stood out in bold relief against the background of the mountains. Little clouds were scurrying across the sky like schools of fish, and an occasional flash of heat lightning lit up the mountains and valley with strange distinctness. Elinor had brought out her guitar and they had just begun one of the old familiar songs, when a ragged boy appeared in their midst so suddenly that he might have sprung up full grown from the earth. He faced Ben without looking at the others. "The doctor wants both gem'man to come. I show the way. Quick." Phoebe sat up very straight and looked at the boy. "I don't know you," she said. "Who are you?" "I come from that away," answered the boy, pointing with his thumb toward Indian Head. "The doctor said you would know it was all right by this here," he added, unbuttoning his coat and taking out the doctor's well remembered cane. "An' he don't want none of the ladies to come. Jes' the men." "But I will go," exclaimed Phoebe. "My father----" "Is your father Frenchy?" "Yes," answered the girl, lowering her eyes. "The doctor says Frenchy's gal was not to be skeered. Frenchy is safe and well." "Are you sure?" demanded Phoebe. "So help me," answered the boy, raising his hand to heaven.