"What's that over there?" snarled Peters, pointing to something
bright in the grass.

Ed picked it up. It was the purse, but it was empty. Ed's
exclamation told them that.

"My ring," cried Cora. "I had my ring--oh no. I forgot--that was
not the purse," and Cora went in doors, presently returning with
some small coins. "Here, Ed," she said, her voice trembling. "Do
pay that man, and let him go. I--I am so frightened!"

"Cora," whispered Bess, "was your ring in that purse?"

"Hush," cautioned the other girl. "Let us try to make things
brighter. Since that man sailed down the lake to-day with our boys'
canoe we have had nothing but mishaps. Now let him go. I'll manage
to reckon with him without endangering the life of anyone. He's too
desperate a character to deal with in the ordinary way. Remember
what Ben told us."




CHAPTER VI

CORA EXPLOITING


There had been three delightful days at Camp Cozy. Cora managed
most of the delight, with the able assistance of Belle and Bess,