opportunity to question her. But she did
not return before Marjorie and Lily had finished their chocolate, so
they were obliged to leave the shop, as much in the dark as ever.

The remaining two days passed without further adventure, and on Sunday
evening they were back again at Miss Allen's.

"I wonder whether the fortune teller was mistaken, after all?" thought
Marjorie.

CHAPTER XIV

THE CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Two weeks had passed by, and the swimming team had been chosen during
that time. Four more girls, in addition to Alice Endicott, who was now a
Scout, were eligible for Pansy troop and were to be admitted that
evening. Three of them were freshmen: Dorothy Whitcomb, Gladys Staley,
and Mildred Cavin. And the fourth girl was Evelyn Hopkins.

Miss Phillips called the meeting to order, and then hastened through the
opening ceremony and necessary routine.

"There is much to do and to talk about," she said, after the preliminary
matters had been settled, "that I feel as if I can't talk fast enough.
But I think we shall consider the regular Scout business first.

"First of all, I wish to welcome the new girls with the sincere hope
that they will soon pass their Tenderfoot test and be registered as
regular members of Pansy Troop. If they all do, we shall then have
twenty-four girls, or three patrols.

"Accordingly, after the first of the year we shall re-divide into three
patrols, and the three Scouts with the highest standing--counting the
number of merit-badges, etc.--will be the three patrol leaders, and may
choose, in turn, the members of their respective patrols.

"Next, after the New Year, the second-class girls will study for their
first-class test; for during spring vacation I am going to take the
first eight girls who pass this test successfully, to Washington. The
expenses are to be provided by a wealthy friend of the troop!"

"Who?" they all shouted, curious. "Oh, it is too wonderful!"

But Miss Phillips refused to reveal the name of their unknown
benefactor.

"Now, about our Good Turn. Of course, to-morrow is the day of the
bazaar, about which we shall go into detail later; but now I want to
discuss what we shall do with the money. I have a report from Miss
Smith, the private detective."

At these words, Marjorie leaped to her feet. Forgetful of the formality
of the occasion, she asked, excitedly,

"Did she find Frieda?"

"Yes; but she lost her again. A girl answering to her descriptio