The room was speckless in its cleanliness, and full of many obviously home-made contrivances and makeshifts. Yet there were two or three beautiful pieces of old mahogany furniture, of a satiny finish and ancient date. And on the mantel stood one marvelous little piece of pottery that, even to Doris's untrained eye, gave evidence of being a rare and costly bit. But Miss Camilla was now coming back, bearing a tray on which stood three glasses of water and a plate of cookies and three little dishes of delicious strawberries. "You children must be hungry after your long morning's excursion," she said. "Try these strawberries of mine. They have just come from the garden." Doris thought she had never tasted anything more delightful than that impromptu little repast. And when it was over, she asked Miss Camilla a question, for she had been chatting with her all along, in decided contrast to the rather embarrassed silence of Sally. "What is that beautiful little vase you have there, Miss Roundtree, may I ask? I've been admiring it a lot." A wonderful light shone suddenly in Miss Camilla's eyes. Here, it was plain, was her hobby. "That's a Louis XV Sèvres," she explained, patting it lovingly. "It is marvelous, isn't it, and all I have left of a very pretty collection. It was my passion once, this pottery, and I had the means to indulge it. But they are all gone now, all but this one. I shall never part with this." The light died out of her eyes as she placed the precious piece back on the mantel. "Good-bye. Come again!" she called after them, as they took their departure. "I always enjoy talking to you children." When they had retraced their way to the boat and pushed off and were making all speed for the hotel, Sally suddenly turned to Doris and demanded: "Why in the world are you so interested in Miss Camilla? I've known her all my life, and I never talked so much to her in all that time as you did this morning." "Well, to begin with," replied Doris, shipping her oars and facing her friend for a moment, "I think she's a lovely and interesting person. But there's something else besides." She stopped abruptly, and Sally, filled with curiosity, demanded impatiently, "Well?" Doris's reply almost caused her to lose her oars in her astonishment. "_I think she knows all about that cave!_" CHAPTER IX DORIS HAS A NEW THEORY "Well, for gracious sake!" was all Sally could reply to this astonishing remark. And a moment later, "How on earth do you know?" "I don't _know_. I'm only guessing at it," replied Doris. "But I have one or two good reasons for thinking we've been on the wrong track right along. And if I'd known about _her_ before, I'd have thought so long ago." "But what _is_ it?" cried Sally again, bursting with impatience and curiosity.