"That reminds me of something one of the recruiting officers told me the other day," put in Allen, with a whimsical smile. "He said he had talked to hundreds of American enlisted men, and the great majority of them were eager to learn German." "I don't admire their taste," put in Mollie, with spirit. "I hate the very sound of it." "Well, the soldier's idea is," explained Allen, "that if he learns the language he'll be able to flirt with the _frauleins_ when he gets to Berlin." "Again I don't admire their taste," remarked Mollie spitefully. "Almost all the German girls I've ever seen are too stout to suit me." "Goodness, I had a German ancestor away back somewhere," remarked Amy anxiously. "Maybe that's why I'm beginning to gain flesh so fast. You've got me worried." The boys laughed, but the girls answered reassuringly. "It isn't your remote German ancestor that's giving you flesh, Amy," said Grace condescendingly. "It's eating three hearty meals a day, and the sitting still knitting from morning to night. We girls are used to being on the go all the time." "What's that you said?" asked Frank, bringing his eyes down from the stars to the lazy figure in the white dress. "I've never seen you when you weren't taking life easy." "What!" said Grace, sitting up straight, the picture of indignation. "How about our walking tour--didn't I walk just as far, and as much as the other girls then? And how about swimming?" "Take it back! take it back!" cried Frank. "If going down on my knees will help any--" "Don't be a goose," responded Grace shortly, settling herself once more in a comfortable position. "Just a little bit of going down on your knees, and we'll be in the water. Have a chocolate?" "No, thanks," said Frank absently. His eye had caught a sudden flare of light, that had flickered for a moment and then disappeared. "Hey, Allen," he yelled. "Did you see that light--over there, to the right?" "Yes," said Allen, looking puzzled. "And I don't remember ever seeing signs of life over in that direction." "Isn't that about where the old powder mill stands?" asked Betty, and Allen turned to her quickly. "Betty," he said, his eyes shining, "you've got it. The government has bought that property, and started the old mill to working. By George, this promises to be interesting." "There it is again!" cried Frank, while Grace strained her eyes eagerly toward the point. "What do you say to paddling over there and having a look?" "It's up to the girls," replied Allen, watching Betty's face eagerly. "What they say goes." "And they say 'go,'" smiled Betty whimsically. "Do you suppose we'd go back without solving the mystery? Lead on, Macduff--we follow." So Allen and Frank paddled hard toward the bend in the lake, the other two canoes, which had fallen somewhat behind, quickening the stroke to catch up with them, sensing that something unusual was afoot.