ers while we're
here,--it's an understood thing between us--so I'd be entirely within my
rights in going in there to look the place over, especially if I
suspected anything queer, and the other person would be quite in the
wrong. Don't you see?"

"Oh, yes, I see that, but it doesn't lessen the fact that it may be
dangerous!" sighed Leslie, wearily.

Phyllis ignored this. "If the hundredth chance should happen and I
encounter Eileen, or if I come across anything very unusual and think you
ought to see it, I'll let you know. Only in case of the hundred and
_first_ chance of real danger will I blow this whistle. Hold on tight to
Rags and don't let him try to follow me. By-by! See you later!" And
before Leslie could expostulate further, she had slipped out of the
window, her electric torch in her hand, and was out of sight around the
corner of the neighboring cottage.

Leslie remained half hanging out of the window, in an agony of suspense.
The night was moonless and very dark. Added to that, a heavy sea-mist
hung over everything like a blanket, and, out of the gloom, the steady
pounding of the surf came to her with ominous insistence. The chill of
the foggy air was penetrating, and she wrapped a sweater about her almost
without realizing that she had done so. Rags was on the seat beside her,
ears alertly cocked.

There was not a sound from the next house, nor could she even see a
single gleam of light from the chinks in the shutters. Where could
Phyllis be? Surely there had been time enough for her to have entered the
place, looked about, and come out again. What could she be doing?

Then her brain began to be filled with horrible pictures of all the
possible and impossible things that might have happened. So beyond all
bearing did this feature become at length that she came to the sudden
conclusion she would endure it no longer. She would get out of the
window, herself, and go in search of her friend. If the worst came to
worst, Rags could do some one a pretty bit of damage!

She had actually got as far as to put one foot over the low sill, when
she quickly pulled it back again. A dark form had slipped around the
corner of the other house and was hurrying toward her.

"Leslie! Leslie! Quick!--can you come here with me?"

Leslie almost collapsed, so swift was the reaction of relief at hearing
Phyllis's voice, after all her terrible imaginings.

"What is it? What have you found?" she managed to reply.

"I can't