eaten that morning,
after which packs were lashed and the party lost no time in starting to
leave the mountain that had furnished them with so much excitement.

The journey down the trail was not a long one. After reaching the foot
of the mountain they were obliged to travel nearly ten miles before
reaching a village from whence they would go on by wagon until reaching
the point whence they were to be conveyed to Mt. Washington.

That night found them weary and sleepy, but to stay at a hotel which
boasted of all modern conveniences was a welcome change to the mountain
climbers, who were both footsore and weary. It seemed but a few
moments after retiring before they were called to get ready for
breakfast and the long ride to the foot of the mountain, up which they
were to climb. Their experience on Mt. Washington was to be both novel
and exciting.

CHAPTER XXI

THE ASCENT OF MT. WASHINGTON

The supper smoke rose lazily in the still air. Below them lay a vast
panorama of valley and now flattened hills. The Meadow-Brook Girls,
after a day of hard climbing, were about half way to the summit of Mt.
Washington. They had chosen the most difficult climbing to be found in
the White Mountain Range. Janus had promised them some real mountain
climbing when they reached Mt. Washington, and he had made good his word.
They admitted that laughingly upon reaching the spot he had chosen for
their night's camping, and willingly permitted the guide to start the
fire while they rested preparatory to getting the supper.

"At least we have the satisfaction of knowing that we have left our
friend of the green goggles behind," said Miss Elting, with a sigh of
relief. "I hope we have seen the last of him. He certainly tried to
spoil our trip."

"Sheriff's out on the trail," answered Janus. "There's trouble of some
sort down there. Sheriff's office said things were popping, but wouldn't
talk much because he--the fellow I got on the telephone--didn't know me.
Funny not to know me, wasn't it?"

"Yeth," answered Tommy.

"What did you conclude from what was said?" asked Miss Elting.

"That they were after some one and knew who it was. I hope they get him.
I hope that, when they do, they give Janus Grubb a chance to tell the
fellow what he thinks of him."

"It may not be the man we think at all," suggested the guardian.

"No-o-o-o," drawled the guide reflectively.

"If not, what do you propose to do?" questioned Harri