"Now, Bess dear, you are to forget all about the gypsies. I have
almost done so—that is, I have forgotten all the unpleasant part.
Of course, I occasionally hear from Helka. Do you want to steer,
Bess?"
"I would rather not," confessed Bess, "for I am actually trembling.
Where do you suppose the boys could have gone?"
"Haven't the least idea, and we have no more time to speculate. There! Didn't you hear a strange noise on the island? I declare, that store man must be right. Those islands are haunted!"
"Wasn't that a queer noise! Oh! I am so glad we are safe in our boat," and Bess breathed a sigh of relief. "I would have died if that noise happened while we were there."
"But I should like to know what it is, and I will never be satisfied until I find out," declared Cora. "That was neither bird nor beast—it was human."
But the motor boat, girls headed straight for shore—the sun seemed falling into the lake as they reached the camp to be welcomed by Belle. The story of the trip to the island and the disappearance of the boys was quickly told.
CHAPTER III
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BOYS
"What can have happened to the boys?" murmured Belle. "I am afraid they are drowned."
"All of them?" and Cora could not repress a smile. "It would take a very large sized whale to gobble them all at once, and surely they could not all have been seized with swimming cramps at the same moment. No, Belle, I have no such fear. But I am going right out to investigate. I know Jack would never stay away if he could get here, especially when he knew this would be your first evening at the lake. Why, the boys were just wild to try my boat," and she threw her motor cape over her shoulders. "Come on girls, down to the steamer landing. There may have been some accident."