he did not know why it had been brought to the tent.

Mrs. Livingston unlocked the supply box, then tilting it so that the light
from the hanging lamp nearby shone into the box, she peered in. Harriet
saw her grope in the box, saw her withdraw some small object and examine
it in the palm of her hand amid a breathless silence. Then the Chief
Guardian raised her eyes, fixing them on Harriet Burrell with an
inquiring, sorrowful gaze.

CHAPTER XVIII

AN "HONOR" FAIRLY LOST

"Miss Burrell," began the Chief Guardian in an impressive voice, "I find
that a serious offense has been committed, an offense that cannot be
overlooked. A prank is allowable within reasonable limits, but any such
trick as this borders on the disgraceful."

"Wha-at do you mean, Mrs. Livingston?" questioned Harriet.

"We have examined the pot in which the soup was made. We have, after
careful examination, decided what it is that gives the consomme the
peculiar flavor that you all have noticed."

Harriet listened with an expression of grave concern. She forgot in the
interest she felt in what the Chief Guardian was about to say, her own
humiliation at having lost the "honor" she had so nearly earned.

"We came to the conclusion that nothing but soap could give the soup the
peculiar flavor that makes it so unpalatable. Then again we observed
little beads floating on the surface," continued Mrs. Livingston. "While
attractive to look at these were very disagreeable to the taste for they
were soap bubbles. However, an entirely different complexion has been
placed on the matter since my examination of your box before me on the
table. Miss Burrell, I find in this box a small piece of castile soap from
which some shavings have been left in the box and on the paring knife with
which the soap was shaved off."

"Soap in my kit?" cried Harriet, rising slowly to her feet.

"Yes."

"But--why--what is it doing there?" gasped the astonished girl.

"That is what we should like to know. No one had access to your kit except
yourself. The box was locked and the key hung where you placed it when you
last had occasion to close the box."

"Yes, yes, but----"

"We also found flakes of soap scattered about on the floor in the kitchen.
I slipped on a shaving of it and nearly fell just now when I visited the
kitchen. Did you have any soap in your kit?"

"Certainly not, Mrs. Livingston."

"Then how did it come to be there just now when I opened the box?"