"Well, we won't argue that point," said Betty, rising and beginning to
clear away the dishes, "because we don't know anything about it."

"That is just exactly what I am getting at," said Mollie earnestly,
leaning forward and resting her elbows on the table while the girls
watched her interestedly. "We don't know anything about it, but that is no
reason why we should sit back and twiddle our thumbs and start at
shadows."

"Well, for goodness' sake, tell us what's on your mind," prompted Grace
impatiently. "We haven't sat back and twiddled our thumbs and started at
shadows because we enjoyed it, you know."

"Now my plan is this," said Mollie, ignoring Grace, who shrugged her
shoulders and reached for her candy box. "Suppose we take a tramp through
the woods to the head of the falls? It is a beautiful hike and the scenery
at the falls is magnificent. But aside from that we will have a chance to
find out something about this thing that will do away with the mystery."

"If it doesn't do away with us at the same time," said Amy so ruefully
that they had to laugh at her.

"Well, what do you say?" asked Mollie, looking around the circle of
thoughtful faces--her glance a dare.

For a moment it looked as if they all might refuse to go, but then their
sporting blood came to the fore and they decided for the adventure.

But when they told Mrs. Irving about their project and begged her to say
yes to it, she looked very doubtful and only consented at last on the