They gave a jump, then, and every one of them stared ruthlessly. They saw a tall young man come down the walk at a swinging stride, glance hungrily at the sparkling waves, and then enter "Wilder's Bathing Establishment," which stood near by, at the water's edge.
"It must be him!" gasped the heiress.
"It is him!" cried Betty, triumphantly. "Isn't he splendid?"
"Say, girls," observed Gladys McGowan, "let's take Susie's bet. It'll be worth a round of sundaes to meet our Jim right away, without losing precious time."
"Half an hour, Susie?"
"Half an hour at the most, girls."
"Then it's a go! How will you manage it?"
Susie still played with the sands, while the others watched her nervously. She was a tiny thing, and not especially beautiful, but the girls liked her because she was "good fun" and exhibited a rare cleverness at times. All they knew of her history was that Susie was visiting at the Carleton cottage.
"You'll help me, girls?" enquired the adventurous one.
"Of course. But what's your plan, dear?"