Shortly after eleven o’clock the following morning, David Chamberlin called for the girls. Wardell Force had of necessity taken an early train out of the city, so there were only Jake, Marshmallow and his mother to see them off. “Wish I were going,” the plump youth murmured enviously. “Still, I have a sneaking notion it won’t be as jolly as you think down there at Locked Gates.” “Then we’ll liven the place up,” Doris declared lightly. Dave drove rather slowly, for neither he nor the girls were eager to reach Rumson before the middle of the afternoon. Doris and Kitty had gone to great pains to prepare and pack a dainty lunch and the three planned to stop some place along the road for a picnic. The day was unpleasantly warm and sultry. As they took the main highway leading to Rumson, Doris glanced anxiously at the scattered clouds which were to be seen overhead. “I hope it doesn’t rain and spoil our picnic,” she said. “Oh, I don’t think it will,” Dave replied. “The sky is almost clear.” It was true that the sun was shining brightly, but the sky had a dull appearance which Doris did not like. However, as they motored along enjoying the scenery, she forgot the matter completely. “I’m beginning to get hungry,” Dave announced as it approached noon. “We may as well begin to look for a good place to stop.” Presently, Doris caught sight of an attractive grove of trees ahead. “That’s just the spot!” she declared. “Cool and shady and not too close to the road.” Dave parked the roadster just off the highway and they took the hamper over to the grove. “This is a dandy place,” Kitty approved. “I believe there’s a spring back there among the rocks.” Dave had been gazing thoughtfully toward a sign. “I’m not sure that we should have stopped here,” he said. “Why not?” Doris demanded quickly. “We seem to have camped pretty close to the entrance to the Glenville Roadhouse. However, we’re not on their property.” “What difference does it make?” Kitty asked innocently. “Well—” Dave hesitated. “This roadhouse doesn’t have much of a reputation, so I’ve been told.” “Perhaps we had better leave,” Doris suggested. “We have everything all spread out,” Kitty complained, “and this is the nicest grove we’ve passed. We’re not even within sight of the roadhouse.” “I don’t believe it will do any harm to stay here,” Dave agreed. “We’ll soon be on our way again.” They sat down and began to eat luncheon. There were thin sandwiches, ice-cold lemonade, salad, pickles, and some of Mrs. Mallow’s delicious cookies and cake. Long before they had finished, they realized that their imaginations had been more ambitious than their appetites. “I can’t eat another thing,” Kitty groaned. “It’s a shame to let these sandwiches go to waste,” Dave excused himself, selecting one made of chicken. “Bet you can’t take it all in one bite,” Doris dared him on. “A little thing like that? Just watch me! Why you’re not looking!”