“That’s just it,” said Arden. “I think Melissa is rather simple-minded, to state it gently. Do you think you would be justified in inducing that sort of a person to do something her father would oppose?”
“Oh, no, I wouldn’t do that for anything,” was the quick answer. “If I find her that kind of a girl I will report back to my office and we’ll get legal advice. But Mrs. Benlon thinks she owes a duty to her niece, and she wants to carry it out as soon as she can.”
“Here’s an idea,” said Sim suddenly. “What about going crabbing?”
“Going crabbing!” exclaimed Arden, not seeing the relevancy of the remark. “What in the world for?”
“We have to take the water trail to the Clayton shack,” went on Sim. “Now, if we pretend to be crabbing we can gradually work our way toward it without exciting suspicion. Melissa may be outside or even out in a boat herself, crabbing or fishing. Her father may be out lifting his lobster pots. In that case Miss Tash can see the girl and talk with her. Melissa won’t be afraid if she sees us.”
“Say, that’s a good idea!” declared Terry.
“But you know,” said Arden, “we have to wait here for——”
She did not finish, though her chums knew whom she meant.
“Oh, I don’t want to take you away,” Emma Tash hastened to assure the girls. “I could go by myself.”
“I think it would be better if some of the girls went with you,” suggested Mrs. Landry. “Melissa would feel much more confidence.”