"You know they're after the firebug, an' you better watch
out!"

This seemed too much. The girls fairly fumed with indignation.

"Yes, we were down there, and nearly got burned with the way that barrel
went up," fired back Grace as quickly as she could get her breath, "but
we don't know anything about the firebug _yet_. But we are going to. Do
you know who the Weasle is?" she asked indignantly.

"The Weasle!" and the girl burst into a choppy laugh. "Me, know who the
Weasle is?" she repeated again. "That's a good 'un. Why don't you ask
Bentley?" and before they realized her intention she stooped for the
empty lunch box, and with her free hand threw it full force at Louise's
head. Dodging it Louise was ready to start after the creature, but
before she could do so they saw her reach the water's edge, jump into a
skiff and row swiftly away.

"Talk about cyclones," began Cleo, when she had recovered from her
surprise. "Whatever do you call that human tornado?"

"We don't call her," replied Grace. "I just think we ought to make a
complaint about her. Think of her saying we tried to drown a boy!"

"I'll tell you," said Louise soberly. "She isn't right in her mind."

"But right enough to make a lot of trouble for folks," retorted Cleo.
"There she goes now for Looney Point. Maybe that's what Captain Dave
warned us to keep clear of."

"Let's get down among the other people," suggested Grace. "It's a little
too lonely up here."

"And I guess we had better take the next boat back," added Louise.
"Something might just happen that we would be left."

When they reached the dock the launch was about ready to start, and
piling in they soon found themselves again facing Sea Crest Pier.

So the afternoon had been one of surprise and disappointment.

CHAPTER IX

THE FIRE AT THE PIER

"WE must have a regular scout meeting," announced Cleo. "We may get into
trouble if we are not careful. Grace, have you rounded up all the True
Treds?"

"I have," replied Grace, raising her finger in salute to the emergency
captain. "They'll all be here at Rosabell, by eleven. And having Mary
and Helen will give us a small troop."

"That's splendid. Mary and Helen are Tenderfoots, of course, but they
know the duties. I can scarcely believe that girl would actually say the
things we heard her say, and then to throw that box at Louise!"

"Just the same as pulling faces at us the first day we met her," said
Grace. "I don't feel we oug