eggie looked up with a twinkle in his eyes. He had been growing
thinner and browner during the summer, and his wrists came further
beyond the sleeves of his jacket.

'What's the matter with Allan?' he asked.

'Why,' said Marjorie impatiently, 'he is going on so oddly. First of
all, he wasn't to be found when we came here this morning--had been
away for hours--and he isn't usually in such a hurry to get up in the
holidays. Then when he comes back we all have to go off and get
heather to patch up the roof of the Pirates' Den. I can't make out why
he has grown so particular all of a sudden.'

Reggie looked at her with a provoking smile.

'I thought it was you who wanted the place kept water-tight,' he
suggested, 'in case we might be storm-stayed some evening and have to
spend the night there----'

'That's all very well,' interrupted Marjorie, 'but that's not what's
making you and Allan so busy just now. Why did you go off together
yesterday, and stay away for such a time, leaving us to entertain your
guests? You're busy with something that you don't want us to know
about and I'd just like to find out what it is. It always irritates me
when people make mysteries out of nothing.'

Reggie was looking grave, and his dark eyes studied Marjorie intently.

'Hullo, you two,' said Allan, coming up; 'how are you getting on?'

Marjorie rose up from the ground, and seated herself upon the pile of
cut heather.

'I've just been telling Reggie that I know that you and he have a
secret between you,' she said, looking boldly at Allan. 'I'd just like
to know what it is. Hardly fair, I call it; keeping something from the
other members of the Compact----'

She broke off upon seeing the grave, concerned expression in Allan's
eyes.

'It's all right,' she said, looking fixedly out to sea; 'it's something
that you know you ought to keep from me, and I'm not going to find out
what it is.'

She had become flushed, and her heart was beating fast as a suspicion
forced itself upon her. She turned, and stooping down, took up her
armful of heather.

'I'm going to carry this to the boat,' she remarked, without looking
round.

The boys looked after her retreating figure.

'H'm,' said Allan, 'not bad for a girl.'

Marjorie's reflections were interrupted by a about, and Harry came
running down the hill and caught her by the arm.

'Well, what's the matter?' she asked irritably.

'Look!' he panted, pulling her round. 'Look a