"But I thought—" began the girl.
Stubbs interrupted her with a wave of his hand.
"Oh, I know what you thought," he said. "I thought so myself once. So have lots of others. But if you knew them as well as I do you'd change your mind."
"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Chester of Hal, in a whisper.
"I think it's about time we went in," returned Hal.
Chester advanced into the room and the others followed. Stubbs turned guiltily.
"Oh, there you are," he said. "I was just telling this young lady here what great friends we all are. Yes, sir. I just remarked that if she were in any kind of danger, to mention it to you and you boys would see that no harm came to her."
"Are you sure that's what you were talking about, Mr. Stubbs?" asked Chester.
"Why, of course. What did you think?"
"Well, I thought perhaps you might have told Miss Ellison of all the trouble we have caused you."