"I suspected as much, but we want to know who the man is."
"Oh Dad...." Bet left the sentence unfinished. She edged close to her father and held his hand. Her own felt cold and clammy while her face burned. She did not dare to turn toward Phil, whose face showed dimly in the red glow.
"I'm so disappointed!" exclaimed Shirley. "I could just weep!"
"Who is it?" asked Phil.
The Colonel answered quietly: "If I am not mistaken, it's the man who stole the fan."
"Then let me nearer. I think I have first right, don't you, Colonel?"
"You have, Phil!" Colonel Baxter made room for the boy to pass.
"Why I see!" cried Shirley. "It's somebody sneaking into Hermit's Hut."
"Who is it? Tell me Shirley!" exclaimed Kit.
"It—it looks like old Peter Gruff! It is! No mistake!"