"Why not?" demanded Cora. "Can't I take care of myself in broad
daylight?"

"But you don't know how ugly that feller can be," insisted Ben. "I
tell you miss, I'd give him plenty of room, if I war you."

"Don't go," urged Bess.

"But, Ben," argued Cora, "I am afraid you have all let Jim Peters
bully you. I am going to try him another way. Where does he live?"

"Well a hour ago he went up the lake. He goes up there every
mornin' regular. Like as if he had some important business on the
island. When I asked him about it he said there was a fellow who
had some dangerous disease, and was campin' out there, and Jim
allowed that he had to fetch him things."

"Indeed!" exclaimed Cora. "That's a queer story for a man like
Peters. But I'm going to his shack first, even if he is not at
home. It would suit me just as well to find him out on my first
visit."

"But that young feller who lives with him? He's just as sassy as
Jim, when he's around the shack. Of course he don't stay there
always, as Jim does."

"Who is he?" questioned Cora. "I hadn't heard of such a person."

"Oh, he gives the name of Jones but it don't fit him fer a cent. I
wouldn't be surprised if his real name was Macaroni or even Noodles.