1
II. THE MYSTERY OF IT 7
III. THE DERELICT 14
IV. THE CRYING NEED 22
V. OFF AT LAST 29
VI. "THE NEVERGETOVERS" 35
VII. MOVIE STUNTS 43
VIII. THE AUCTION BLOCK 52
IX. A DISMAYING DISCOVERY 67
X. A WILD AFTERNOON 77
XI. MR. PETERBY PAUL--AND "WHOSIS" 86
XII. ALONGSHORE 95
XIII. THE HERMIT 104
XIV. A QUOTATION 113
XV. AN AMAZING SITUATION 122
XVI. RUTH SOLVES ONE PROBLEM 129
XVII. JOHN, THE HERMIT'S, CONTRIBUTION 136
XVIII. UNCERTAINTIES 144
XIX. COUNTERCLAIMS 152
XX. THE GRILL 159
XXI. A HERMIT FOR REVENUE ONLY 171
XXII. AN ARRIVAL 180
XXIII. TROUBLE--PLENTY 186
XXIV. ABOUT "PLAIN MARY" 193
XXV. LIFTING THE CURTAIN 199

RUTH FIELDING DOWN EAST

CHAPTER I

THE WIND STORM

Across the now placidly flowing Lumano where it widened into almost the
proportions of a lake just below the picturesque Red Mill, a bank of
tempestuous clouds was shouldering into view above the sky line of the
rugged and wooded hills. These slate-colored clouds, edged with pallid
light, foredoomed the continuance of the peaceful summer afternoon.

Not a breath of air stirred on the near side of the river. The huge old
elms shading the Red Mill and the farmhouse connected with it belonging to
Mr. Jabez Potter, the miller, were like painted trees, so still were they.
The brooding heat of midday, however, had presaged the coming storm, and
it had been prepared for at mill and farmhouse. The tempest was due soon.

The backyard of the farmhouse--a beautiful lawn of short grass--sloped
down to the river. On the bank and over the stream itself was set a
summer-house of fair proportions, covered with vines--a cool and shady
retreat on the very hottest day of midsummer.

A big robin redbreast had been calling his raucous weather warning from
the top of one of the trees near the house; but, with her back to the
river and the coming storm, the girl in the pavilion ga