"You mean on the river?"

"_Shh_, listen," said Minerva; "_look_, do you see a light--right there
among the bushes? _Shh_. Don't run."

There was indeed a light shining through the dark foliage alongshore
and presently a voice was to be heard, a voice speaking words to strike
terror to the stoutest Camp-fire Girl heart.

"I watched for the cops," it said, "and as soon as I saw them I beat it
across the field and told the gang and every one got away but it was a
narrow escape. One detective had me by the collar. _This is going to
be easy though_."

"Bandits!" whispered Minerva.

"They're going to rob the house while we're on the lawn," breathed
Margaret Timerson.

"They're crouching on the shore just behind those bushes," said another
girl.

"Leave it to me," said the mysterious voice. "I'll handle them."




CHAPTER XVIII

EVERY WHICH WAY