l put many of your
qualities to severe test. And these tests are going to begin right away.
Perhaps the first will be a test of your ability to hold your tongues.
That's pretty hard for a bevy of girls who like to talk better than
anything else, isn't it?"

"Do you really mean to accuse us of liking to talk better than anything
else?" inquired Marie Crismore, flushing prettily.

"I didn't say so, did I?" was the Guardian's answering query.

"Not exactly. But you meant it, didn't you?"

"I refuse to be pinned down to an answer," replied Miss Ladd, smiling
enigmatically. "I suspect that if I leave you something to guess about
on that subject it may sink in deeper. Now, can any of you surmise what
specifically I am driving at?"

Nobody ventured an answer, and Miss Ladd continued:

"Don't talk about our mission to Twin Lakes except on secret occasions.
Don't drop remarks now and then or here and there that may be overheard
and make someone listen for more. For instance, on the train, forget
that you are on anything except a mere pleasure trip or Camp Fire
excursion. Be absolutely certain that you don't drop any remarks that
might arouse anybody's curiosity or suspicion. It might, you know, get
to the very people whom we wish to keep in ignorance concerning our
moves and motives."

"I see you are bound to make sure enough spies out of us," said Marie
Crismore pertly. "Well, I'm going to start out with the determination of
pulling my hat down over my eyes, hiding in every shadow I see and
peeking around every corner I can get to. Oh, I'm going to be some
sleuth, believe me."

"What will you say when you catch somebody with jam on his fingers?"
Harriet Newcomb inquired.

Marie leaned forward eagerly and answered dramatically:

"I'll suddenly appear before the villain and shout: 'Halt, you are my
prisoner! Throw up your jammed hands!'"

After the laugh that greeted this response subsided, Miss Ladd closed
her lecture thus:

"I think you all appreciate the importance now of keeping your thoughts
to yourselves except when we are in conference. I'm glad to see you have
a lot of fun over this subject, but don't let your gay spirits cause you
to permit any unguarded remarks to escape."

On the train the girls all got out their knitting, and soon their
needles were plying merrily away on sleeveless sweaters, socks,
helmets, and wristlets for the boys at the front, timing their work by
their wrist watches for patrioti