“You surely did win it, and you shall have that box of candy! much as I hoped to keep it in the family,” laughed Betty, shaking the water from her eyes and drawing herself up beside her chum. “Goodness, isn’t that water delicious to-night?” she added, wriggling her toes luxuriously in the rippling wavelets. “Just cool enough to be refreshing and not cold enough to chill you!!” She broke off suddenly and sat staring, her eyes widening and her body tense. “Girls,” she said in a queer voice, for Mollie and Amy had also drawn themselves up on the bank, “have I gone crazy, or what is the matter with me? Do you see! what! I see! up there?” Alarmed, the girls followed the direction of her strained gaze, and suddenly they seemed to feel themselves congeal with momentary horror. Far above them on the bank near the falls and on the other side of the river, stood the crouched-up, animal-like figure of! the “Thing!” CHAPTER XXIV. RECOVERED The sight was almost too much for the girls. What they felt was sheer animal panic and they wanted to run away! anywhere! just so they put distance enough between them and that figure on the bank. “Sit still,” Betty commanded them, recovering her presence of mind. “That is Professor Dempsey up there, and if we make any sudden sound we are sure of frightening him away.” “But he was killed! we saw it,” moaned Amy. “That must be his g-ghost.” “Don’t be ridiculous,” snapped Mollie, her thoughts working along with Betty’s “You know you don’t believe in ghosts.” “But how!” Amy was beginning when Betty interrupted sharply. “Listen,” she said. “I came across an old derelict of a rowboat the other day when we were exploring the upper river, but I didn’t say anything to you girls about it because I thought it was too much of a wreck to bother with. For all I know it isn’t even water tight “Betty,” Mollie broke in excitedly, “I see what you mean! We can row across the upper river to where Professor Dempsey is! Were there oars in the boat?” she broke off to ask. “A couple of old sticks that would serve for oars,” Betty answered. “Of course it’s taking a big chance!!” “Say no more,” cried Mollie, jumping to her feet and wringing out her bathing suit. “Big chance is our middle name anyway. Lead on, Betty. Where do we find this craft?” “I’m not quite sure that I can find it,” said Betty, leading the way into the woods, “but it was down this way somewhere. Don’t make any noise, girls, and let’s hurry, or we won’t get there before he disappears again.” Grace and Amy were now entering into the spirit of the thing, and they followed at Betty’s heels eagerly, careful not to step on stick or stone that might betray their presence. Luckily Betty managed to stumble directly on the old derelict rowboat where it lay in ancient helplessness in the concealment of a thick grove of bushes along the upper reach of the stream.