"Daughter!" exclaimed the woman at the little door. "I am almost frightened to death. What happened? Where's your boat?"
"Why! you frightened, mother? About me?"
"Well, I suppose I should not have been," and the lady smiled as she stepped within range of the auto lamps. "But that horrid tramp. He came again!"
"He did! How long ago?"
"Just as you left. I cannot imagine why he should sneak around here at this hour. He could not have wanted food."
There was no time for introductions. The excitement of Mrs. Robbins precluded any such formality. All talked just as if they had been well acquainted.
"We could tell the town officers," suggested Walter. "It is not safe for women to be alone away up here."
"He wanted to hire a boat, Regina," said the mother, "just as if he could not get one handy at the pier."
"Shall we hunt for you?" asked Jack. "We are professional burglar hunters—do it 'most every evening."
"Oh, thank you! but there are no hiding places about our shack. Either you are in it or out of it, and in one way or the other one is bound to be in evidence," said Miss Robbins, smiling frankly.