an for concerted action. But with no officers to assume responsibility
or give directions, and with no opportunity for general discussion,
there seemed to be little hope of their getting together. However, as in
all cases heretofore, they relied upon the resourcefulness and hesitance
of the junior president.

The holder of that office was Ethel Todd, one of the very cleverest of
the Girl Scouts. Exceptionally capable, she usually accomplished what
she set out to do. When she learned that Ruth Henry was chairman of the
Vigilance Committee she was more determined than ever to check-mate any
plans the other might make. Taking matters in her own hands, she
arranged for a thorough consultation with Florence Evans and Mildred
Cavin, whom she considered class leaders.

"Ruth Henry has some clever scheme," she informed them, "you can just
depend on that. But I mean to beat her, no matter how perfect her system
is," she added. She had never forgiven Ruth for the contemptible manner
in which she had treated Marjorie the previous year, and she could not
resist the temptation to do everything in her power to get even.

So she set about to discover the sophomore's plan, and to outwit the
girls if she could. She watched Ruth's movements closely, and saw her
follow Esther Taylor to the library the following afternoon, remain
there as long as the freshman did, and come out again a few seconds
afterward, dogging her footsteps to the hockey field. This same
occurrence took place the day after; at the same time she perceived that
Lily Andrews seemed always close on the trail of Mildred Cavin, and
Marjorie of Alice Endicott. Ethel retired to her own room to think over
this in quiet.

What could it all mean? Did Ruth and Lily and Marjorie think that the
other freshmen could not hold a meeting without these few girls--that
they, leaders though they were, were indispensable? She glanced out of
the window and saw Daisy Gravers walking down the path to the gate; a
few steps behind her came Doris Sands, apparently unconcerned about
things in general, but every now and then glancing at Daisy, and then
looking hastily toward the dormitory. Then, in a flash, the system was
disclosed to the junior President!

"PRIVATE DETECTIVE SYSTEM!" she exclaimed aloud, jumping suddenly to her
feet. "Each freshman shadowed by a soph!"

She hit upon a brilliant, yet simple, plan. She would beat Ruth by
_cleanliness_! Accordingly, she wrote forty notes to fo