t the camera."

Bet spoke earnestly: "Don't try to find out who stole the fan, Daddy!
Let the matter drop."

"Why?"

"Daddy, it might be someone we liked and trusted and if it was,
we'd--we'd--well life wouldn't be so good after that. Let's drop it!
Say yes!"

Bet's father straightened up in bed and took the face of his daughter
between his two hands.

"I see that you are still troubled. There is someone you fear has been
false. Is that it? Some friend?"

"Yes, Dad."

"But that's all the more reason why we should investigate and make sure
about it."

"Don't, Dad, please. I can't bear it."

"Bet, dear, can you trust your father? I've never failed you, have I?"

"No, no, never!"

"Then listen to me. Rid yourself of all your suspicions, if that's
what they are, and I'll try to untangle things. Do you think if I take
Chief Baldwin out to the hut that he might see something that would pin
the blame on your friend?"

"No, Daddy, I don't think so. The truth is, I have the evidence with
me."

"Might it not be well to trust an older head, Bet?"

"Yes. But somehow I feel that it is not being loyal." Bet left the
room and returned with the handkerchief. "I found the fan wrapped in
Phil's handkerchief. See his initials, P.S.G."

"Phil! And he was the last one to have the fan? It does look bad for
the boy. --I must have a talk with him."

"No, no! Phil couldn't have done it. He just couldn't!" repeated Bet.
Sobs shook her body. "There's the evidence but still I can't believe
it."

"Where is my little Lady Betty Merriweather, I'd like to know?"

"Of course _she_ didn't cry over her troubles. She just kept a stiff
upper lip and went on, but somehow it does me worlds of good to cry,
now that you are at home."

"Now Bet, I'll tell you what I'm going to do. If we find out that this
terrible suspicion is correct, I'll have a serious talk with Phil. In
the meantime I am going to have Chief Baldwin go over the ground with
me. We'll visit the hut together. Now just where is Shirley's camera?"

"It's at the right of the hut. You'll see it without any trouble. Try
to bring it without disturbing it for Shirley does want a picture for
that contest this spring. --And Dad, could you and Chief Baldwin go
alone? Don't take that detective!"

"Why?"

"He'd find out something against Phil, I'm sure he would. Then he'd
want to put him in jail. He didn't try to shadow anyone else. That
boy has