The rest of the way home Mr. Meade insisted on turning every few miles and solemnly counting the boys and girls to make sure there were six of them. And when he set them down at the island bridge, before he would let them thank him for the happy day, he carefully counted them and “added them to make six,” as he said. He didn’t intend to spill any more of them out or have another one go to sleep and be counted missing.
The next day the Riddle Club campers went home, to be ready for school on Monday morning. Ready for something else that was important, too.
“Our first meeting in the new clubroom,” said Polly, happily. “Monday afternoon, as soon as school is out! Won’t it be fun!”
CHAPTER XII
THE RIDDLE CLUB MEETS
Although Polly had been so eager when she spoke of the meeting, she was the last one to come to the clubroom after school the next afternoon.
She looked flushed and excited, and, without knowing why, the others felt a little thrill of excitement, too.
Polly called the meeting to order and asked for unfinished business. There was none.
“New business?” she asked.
Fred rose, the bank prominently displayed in his hand.
“The treasurer,” he announced, rattling the “treasure” cheerfully, “would like to remind you that the dues are due.”