't want you to go away from
home; I don't think it best for you. You ought to wait several years
anyhow. You are not strong and you'd be ill. You don't believe it, but
father cares more for you than for the rest of us because you are more
like mother. Please put things off a while longer in your own mind.
Truly, father will not consent for the present."

Lance got up.

"All right, Dorothy, don't say anything to father on the subject. If
you try to do your best for me what you really think will be plain
enough. I am sorry to have interrupted you; I'm off."

Nor would Lance remain in spite of the pleading of his sister and
friends.

Disconsolately they watched the slender figure in the canoe push away
from shore.

Afterwards they made no pretence of cheerfulness. Tory would not
return to her drawing; Dorothy was too depressed even to assist in
making tea.

An hour later they were on the way back to their own camp.

CHAPTER XIX

LETTERS

Mr. Jeremy Hammond personally conducted the search.

The evergreen cabin had been erected without foundation save a number
of cross beams. There was no cellar except one a few feet square under
the small room that served as a kitchen. The logs that upheld the old
house were singularly free from decay.

Standing upon one of them, a line of Girl Scouts on either side of
him, Mr. Hammond gazed downward with an air of discouragement.

"I am obliged to confess I see no place that gives one a right to
believe we shall discover a secret treasure," he remarked. "I am glad
Kara is unaware of our effort. I was wrong in speaking to her on the
subject. I suppose I am hopelessly romantic and have been cherishing
the idea of some day discovering further information about the little
girl I rescued a number of years ago. We shall find nothing here."

Tory touched him on the arm.

"Please, Mr. Hammond, don't let us start out upon our search in such a
hopeless spirit. I feel as you say you do about Kara. Ever since I met
her I have been convinced we would learn that she had a delightful
background of some kind, which would explain why she is so brave and
charming."

Mr. Hammond smiled.

"No, Tory, I cannot go so far as you. I have never anticipated so
much. Besides, I do not consider it necessary. Personality is the
strongest force in the world, not the question of one's immediate
ancestors. I am not decrying the ancestors, only if one possesses an
unusual personality it may c