That morning the "Comet" conveyed a load of young people down to the village. Miss Campbell ordered a telegram to be sent to her cousin, demanding his immediate presence at the camp. Also a carpenter was secured to build a new door for the living room. This time the village street was singularly empty. No faces peeped from the half opened doors and no crowd gathered at the town pump. The rickety old wooden hotel was closed and the blinds drawn at every window. Evidently Richard Hook had frightened Lupo and the innkeeper very effectually. "I don't think they will ever trouble us again, Phoebe," Billie remarked as they circled the pump and started home. "They are sorry," said Phoebe compassionately. "They are like children, and Mr. Hook understood that when he spoke to them as children. He is very wonderful and very good." "He is indeed," agreed Billie. "He is a very remarkable young man." Phoebe seemed about to speak again, but kept silent. It was difficult for her to carry on a conversation. "I love him," she said at last, so simply and innocently that Billie smiled in spite of the earnestness of Phoebe's expression. "You love everyone, do you not, Phoebe? It is what you have learned by yourself up here in the mountain." "I cannot do that," answered Phoebe. "I have tried but I cannot. But I love Mr. Hook. May God protect him always and reward him for his kindness." Billie looked away abashed. She had never heard anyone speak like that before outside of a church. She, too, hoped that God would protect Richard, but she would not have said it for worlds. She hoped also that Richard would be waiting for them at Sunrise Camp when they returned. He was not there, however. Miss Campbell, with Nancy and Percy, had looked for him in vain. "No, he has not come back," said the little lady. "And neither has Dr. Hume. Where is that foolish man? He shouldn't have left us without news all this time." "Richard should remember that he is a guest and not an independent traveler," exclaimed Maggie Hook. "I don't think he has any right to go off and stay like this." "Now, Maggie, you are worrying and it's very foolish," put in practical Amy Swinnerton. "You know perfectly well he'll be back by nightfall." Nobody felt quite in the humor to do anything. The day was exceedingly hot and the sun on its downward course in the heavens was like a red ball. Most of the party scattered for naps and letter writing and did not meet again until sunset. That afternoon as they gathered around the supper table, Alberdina brought a note to Miss Campbell, written in a strange, old-fashioned handwriting on a scrap of paper. It read: "Do not be uneasy. I have gone in search of Mr. Hook. Phoebe." Miss Campbell groaned as she read the message aloud. "Really, Billie," she exclaimed reproachfully, "you and your father between you induced me to come to this place for peace and rest----" Billie's eyes filled with tears.