Part 34 (1/2)

”I'd ruther,” responded the girl, ungraciously. ”You gals are in my way in the tent.”

Now this, of course, was ridiculous. It could mean but one thing: Liz was anxious to be alone in the cook-tent. And _why_?

Laura, however, merely said:

”Oh! very well. If you prefer not to be helped, Lizzie, that is all right.”

And she walked away; but she did not lose sight of the cook-tent.

There was somebody there beside the maid-of-all-work, and Laura was sure she knew _who_.

Lil was inclined to feel abused. She thought that she should have been taken into the secret at the first.

”But see how you would have kicked,” said the slangy Bobby. ”Why!

you'd have wanted to go back home by the first boat.”

”I don't think we ought to have stayed here with that man on the island,” grumbled Lil.

”With the old professor tagging after him?” chuckled Jess. ”My goodness! can there be anything more respectable than Old Dimple?”

”If he is, why is he mixed up with this bank thief?” asked Lil, bluntly.

”I don't believe the young man is any such thing,” announced Laura, hearing this. ”He doesn't look bad. And surely we can trust to the professor's judgment.”

”And we ought to help Professor Dimp,” said Nell. ”Poor old man! I am sorry for him.”

”Say! Old Dimple's a good sort,” declared Bobby, enthusiastically.

”And he certainly stood up to that red-faced sheriff this morning--Oh, gee!” finished the tomboy, with a gasp. ”Here he is now.”

”Here's who?” squealed Lil, whirling around.

”Professor Dimp?” demanded Nell.

But it was the sheriff.

”'Scuse me, young ladies,” he wheezed. ”But I feel it my duty to s'arch this yere camp. If you ain't a-hidin' of that thar feller, ye won't mind my pokin' around a bit, will yer?”

Laura did not say a word. She stood up and looked over at Liz Bean.

For a moment the maid-of-all-work seemed petrified.

Then she dove for the growling Barnacle. She untied the rope with which he was fastened.

”h.e.l.lo!” exclaimed the puffing sheriff. ”What's _that_ for?”

Liz held the Barnacle with difficulty; the dog bared his teeth at the sheriff and uttered a series of most blood-curdling growls.

”You come botherin' around _here_,” said Liz, desperately, ”an' I'll let him fly at ye!”

CHAPTER XXIV