After Mrs. Deline was beyond view, the girls retraced their way to the spring for the water bucket. As they approached, they thought for a moment that they heard retreating footsteps. The realization that they were alone in the woods, made them a bit nervous. Hurriedly they recovered the bucket and carried it to camp.
“Now tell me what you think, Penny!” Louise commanded when they were inside the tent.
“Why, it’s clear as crystal.” Penny struck a match to the wick of the gasoline lantern and hung it on a hook of the tent pole. “Mrs. Deline went to the cabin intending to meet someone. She carried extra food, a blanket, and if I’m not mistaken, clothing for a man.”
“You thought she signaled from the window?”
“I’m sure she did, Lou. She warned the person, whoever he was, not to approach. She hoped by leaving the basket behind to get it into his hands after we’d gone.”
“You thwarted her in that.”
“We did together,” Penny chuckled. Her face suddenly became sober. “Lou—”
“Yes?”
“It just occurred to me! Maybe the man she intended to meet was the same fellow who stole food from our camp.”
“That’s possible. But why should Mrs. Deline be interested in a common tramp?”