this. I
don't believe I shall tell them, unless--"

Harriet paused suddenly as the sound of men's voices was heard
somewhere toward the land end of the bar. She walked around to the
rear of the cabin, peering shoreward. She made out faintly the figures
of two men coming down the bar. They were carrying something between
them--something that seemed to be heavy and burdensome, for the men
were staggering under its weight.

The Meadow-Brook Girl realized that she was face to face with a
mystery, but what that mystery was she could not even surmise, nor
would she for some time to come. She determined to act, however, and
that, if possible, without alarming her companions. Hesitating but a
moment, Harriet stepped out boldly and started up the bar to meet the
mysterious strangers with their heavy burden.

CHAPTER XIII

A STRANGE PROCEEDING

They did not appear to see her until Harriet was within a few yards of
them.

Then they halted sharply, dropped their burden and straightened up.
The right hand of one of them slipped to his hip pocket, then a few
seconds later was slowly withdrawn with a handkerchief in it.

"It's a girl," exclaimed one of the pair in a low voice.

"Well, what do you think about that?"

"Hello, there, Miss! What is it? Who are ye?" demanded one of the men.

"I was about to ask the same question of you. What are you doing
here?"

"This here is free coast, young woman. We've as good a right to be
here as yourself, and maybe more right," returned the stranger.

"That depends, sir. I wish you wouldn't speak so loudly, either. You
will awaken my companions. I would just as soon they did not see you,
for I don't like the looks of you in the dark."

"Companions!" exploded one of the men under his breath. "Whew! Where
are they?"

"In the cabin. We are occupying it now. Where were you going with that
box? You know there is nothing but the sea beyond here. This is a bar.
The mainland is the other way. Perhaps you thought you were headed up
the beach?"

"Sure we did, Miss. Thank you. We'll be going. Sorry to have disturbed
you. Got some provisions for a friend of ours who is down this part of
the coast on a fishing trip. Thank you."

They gathered up their burden and started back toward the beach as
fast as they could stagger, Harriet in the meantime standing where
they had left her, gazing after them with forehead wrinkled into
ridges of perplexity. Harriet watched the men all the way