The place had probably been picked out because nobody, happening to look from the windows of Three Towers, would be able to see anything but shadows and waving branches.
When the girls, moving softly over twigs and branches, so as to make no noise, finally came to the meeting place they were surprised and a little alarmed to find no one there.
The woods were dark and silent, save for the soft murmuring of the wind among the trees.
"Nobody's here," said Vi, glancing nervously over her shoulder.
"Suppose nobody comes," whispered Laura. "Maybe it's all a joke."
"Well, if it is," said Billie with a rueful little smile, "the joke is on us."
CHAPTER XVIII
THE "CODFISH" AGAIN
It seemed an age while Billie and Laura and Vi stood under the maple tree before anything happened. It really was only about five minutes. Then a sound was heard through the darkness. It was the cracking of a twig.