“Let’s see your badge!” challenged Marjorie, fearlessly.
Both men immediately pushed back their coats in amusement, and, to the consternation of all the scouts, displayed their silver stars. Lily gasped in wonder, and Marjorie informally broke into a laugh. It was Mrs. Hart who had to remind them that they must make haste to comply with the command.
“We really don’t expect to find bootleggers among young ladies,” apologized the milder of the two officers, “but it’s a rule to search everybody.”
“Oh, we don’t mind a bit!” replied Marjorie. “We’re so thankful that you’re not bandits or thieves. You see we’re used to meeting such people on our way.”
“What?” demanded both officers at once. “We thought that these roads were safe for motorists,” added one.
“Safe for everybody but us, it seems,” explained Marjorie. “On our way out we were robbed of money and food and clothing and a car—”
“At different times?”
“Yes.”
“And by different persons?”
“That we don’t know,” answered Marjorie. “We never caught anybody.”