The four girls looked obdurate, and Mr. Gilroy began to smile, then he turned to the Chief.
“You feel reasonably sure that I will be taking no risks in accompanying you back to the campsite?”
“Oh, certainly! Those two outlaws will never hang about a spot where so many people are liable to stop.”
“Well, then, is there any objection to my four nurses going with me to see that I keep quiet to-day?”
“Oh, Mr. Gilroy! How splendid that will be!” cried Julie,
“Oh, yes! Do let us go, Chief!” exclaimed Joan, eagerly.
But at this moment Mrs. Vernon came out on the piazza. She overheard the last words and instantly shook her head in disapproval.
“But why not, Verny? The Chief says the ground is perfectly safe about our camp!” pleaded Julie.
“Why, not a mother in the land would ever allow her girls to join the Scout Organization if they thought I was a sample of a Captain—the very idea! to let you girls run right into such a hotbed of danger!” Mrs. Vernon glanced scornfully at Mr. Gilroy as if to dare him to say another word.
But he smiled in return and said: “Just step inside for a moment, Mrs. Vernon,—I have a word to speak to you.”