lackford. "I know you girls
are very lucky. You've proved it several times. Now if you happen to
hear of anyone who would fit what description I have of my sister--and
it isn't much, to tell the truth--or if you think you see anyone who
resembles me, or who has a peculiar birth-mark, just let me know. You
travel around so much, and you meet so many strange people----"

"We do seem to," agreed Grace.

"Well, just let me know," finished Mr. Blackford.

For some little time they talked of the curious happening, and the
perversity of fate that should provide for such a vital piece of the
letter being missing. Then, after Amy had provided refreshments, the
young men and girls prepared to take their leave.

"And you and Mollie won't forget to find out for sure if you can go to
the lumber camp; will you, Betty?" asked Grace. "Let me know as soon as
you can."

"I'll call you up first thing in the morning," promised Betty. "I'm
pretty sure I can go. Oh! what fun we'll have!"

"Any skating there?" asked Mr. Blackford.

"Oceans of it!" said Grace, who had asked her father many questions
about the camp they expected to visit.

"How about ice boating?" inquired Will.

"You can have that, too. There isn't an ice boat in camp, father said,
but not far away a man has a sort of winter bungalow, and he keeps a
number. Maybe he'll lend us one."

"And can you run it?" asked Amy, timidly.

"It runs itself--you just sit in it and the wind blows it along. All you
have to do is steer," said Grace.

"You're getting to be quite an authority," declared Mollie. "Oh, but I
know we'll have a fine time!"

"And we'll come up too, sometimes," put in Will. "That is, if you girls
will let us."

"Of course," murmured Mollie. "Isn't that the telephone ringing, Grace?"
for they were all on the front steps.

"Yes. I'll see who it is," said Amy. "Maybe they want one of you girls.
Wait!"

"Can't have any of 'em--all taken," declared Will.

"It's you they want, Mollie," reported Amy, coming back. "It's your
mother, and she seems to be in trouble."

"Trouble?" Mollie's voice trembled.

"Yes. Oh, dear! I'm sure she was crying!" and Amy's voice faltered, for
she was very tender-hearted.

Mollie went to the telephone. The others listened anxiously for an
inkling of what the message might be.

"What!" cried Mollie. "Paul missing--he must have gone out right after I
did! Oh, dear! And it's beginning to snow!"

"Girls!" she cried, turning