“But it is certainly killing!” cried Alice, “to think of you three big fellows going after one poor, innocent little ghost and then letting yourselves be robbed in that fashion.”
“That’s right,” said Blake, grinning sheepishly. “And it was my best knife, too. Talk about taking candy from a baby!”
“What was the matter with you, Phil?” asked his sister. “Why didn’t you carry an alarm clock? I’ll lend you my little square one if you want to make another try.”
“Say, look here!” burst out Phil. “If you girls think it so easy to stay up all night, why don’t you try a watch meeting in the old mill? Why don’t you try to solve this mystery if you’re so smart?” and he fairly glared at his sister.
“Maybe we will,” she said coolly. “Have some more coffee, Philly; and don’t let your temper get the best of you.”
“Well,” he grumbled. “I guess anybody would.”
“Well, it was a joke on us all right,” assented Blake. “We might as well take our medicine, fellows.”
The boys were in better humor after breakfast, and left for their camp, promising to try and get their launch in running order and take the girls out for a ride that afternoon.
“And we want to have another try for our canoe,” said Jack. “It won’t do to let that get away from us.”
“Girls! Will you do it?” cried Natalie with eager, shining eyes when the boys had gone.