"It stands for 'Have Been'," declared Larry. "Meaning that they have been here. But they needn't have told us. We know that."
"Yes; they've been here," replied George promptly. "Those initials stand for 'Harriet Burrell.' They mean that the Meadow-Brook Girls have been here and turned our tent upside down. But they made amends by getting our noon meal started. I suppose we had better forgive them. What do you say, fellows?"
"Of course," nodded Billy. The others agreed.
"Miss Burrell, having no card, left her handkerchief. But fellows, while we are fussing around here, they may be getting away again. This may be another of their tricks," declared George. "I would suggest, Billy, that you eat your luncheon at once, then run out the launch and keep sailing around to head them off in case they are running away."
To this proposition, Billy demurred. He did not fancy going away by himself.
"I'll tell you what I'll do," he proposed. "I'll eat luncheon with you first. They can't get far away before I get out, and even if they did I should overhaul them. You know that old scow can be seen for miles."
"I notice we weren't able to see it a few rods from us," observed George dryly. "All right. Start the potatoes to frying. Did they hide the ham?"
"They didn't find it. It's in the spring back there," answered Sam. "I looked."
The luncheon was prepared in a hurry and the boys ate ravenously. The excitement of the morning had not interfered with their appetites.
"Now, Billy, if you see anything, blow your motor horn and keep it going until we hear it. Some of us will hear you. I propose that we spread out so as to cover the island, but still keeping within yelling distance of each other. We know now that the girls are on this island."