"Never a thing. He dropped out of life here as neatly and completely as if he'd suddenly been dropped into the sea. And by the time I'd got back from my voyage the nine-days' wonder about it all was over, and I never could find out any more on the subject. Never was particularly interested to, either. Miss Camilla hain't nothin' to me. She's always kept to herself and so most folks have almost forgotten who she is." As the Captain had evidently reached the end of his information on the subject, Doris rose to take her leave and Sally followed her eagerly. "Well, did you find out what you wanted?" she cried, as soon as they were once more out on the river in old "45." "I found out enough," answered Doris very seriously, "to make me feel pretty sure I'm right. Of course, I can only guess at lots of it, but _one_ thing I'm certain of: that cave had nothing to do with smugglers or pirates--or anything of that sort!" Sally dropped her oars with a smothered cry of utmost disappointment. "I can't believe it!" she cried. "I just can't. I've counted on it _so_ long--finding treasure or something like that, I mean. I just can't believe it isn't so." "It may be something far more interesting," Doris replied soothingly. "But there's just one trouble about it. If it's what I think it is, and concerns Miss Camilla, I've begun to feel that we haven't any business meddling with it now. We oughtn't even to go into it." Sally uttered a moan of absolute despair. "I thought it would be that way," she muttered, half to herself, "if I shared the secret. I _knew_ they'd take it away from me!" She shipped her oars and buried her face in her hands. After a moment she raised her head defiantly. "Why, I don't even know why you say so. You haven't told me yet a single thing of what it's all about. Why _should_ I stay away from that place?" "Listen, Sally," said Doris, also shipping her oars and laying an appealing hand on her arm, "I ought to tell you now, and I will. Perhaps you won't feel the same about it as I do. We can talk that over afterward. But don't feel so badly about it. Just hear what I have to say first.