aimed.

"_What?_" shrieked Helen.

"All right?" repeated Heavy. "Why, Phineas----"

She broke off with a startled gurgle. Phineas turned quickly, too, and
looked over the high boulder. There appeared the head of Ruth Fielding
and, in a moment, the head of Tom Cameron beside it.

"You both was swept through the tunnel into the pool behind, sir," said
Phineas, wagging his head.

"Oh, I was never so scared in my life," murmured Ruth, clambering down
to the path, the water running from her clothing in little streams.

"Me, too!" grunted Tom, panting. "The tide sets in through that hole
awfully strong."

"I might have told you about it," grunted Phineas; "but I didn't
suppose airy one of ye was going for to jump into the sea right here."

"We didn't--intentionally," declared Ruth.

"How ever did it happen, Ruthie?" demanded Heavy.

There was a moment's silence. Tom grew red in the face, but he kept his
gaze turned from Mary Cox. Ruth answered calmly enough:

"It was my own fault. Mary was just coming along to pass me. I had
a bite. Between trying to let her by and 'tending my fish,' I fell
in--and now I have lost fish, line, and all."

"Be thankful you did not lose your life, Miss Fielding," said Aunt
Kate. "Come right down to the boat and get those wet things off. You,
too, Tom."

At that moment Nita came to the spot. "Is she safe? Is she safe?" she
cried.

"Don't I look so?" returned Ruth, laughing gaily. "And here's the
fish I _did_ catch. I mustn't lose him."

Nita stepped close to the girl from the Red Mill and tugged at her wet
sleeve.

"What are you going to do to her?" she whispered.

"Do to who?"

"That girl."

"What are you talking about?" demanded Ruth.

"I saw her," said Nita. "I saw her push you. She ought to be thrown
into the water herself."

"Hush!" commanded Ruth. "You're mistaken. You didn't see straight,
my dear."

"Yes, I did," declared the Western girl, firmly. "She's been mean
to you, right along. I've noticed it. She threw you in."

"Don't say such a thing again!" commanded Ruth, warmly. "You have
no right."

"Huh!" said Nita, eyeing her strangely. "It's your own business, I
suppose. But I am not blind."

"I hope not," sad Ruth, calmly. "But I hope, too, you will not repeat
what you just said--to anyone."

"Why--if you really don't want me to," said Nita, slowly.

"Truly, I don't wish you to," said Ruth, earnestly. "I don't even
admit that you are right, mind----"