ver
the facts with you in Bay City to-night, and then I'll go up to town and
see what I can do with Jake Hoover and Zara's father."

"Well, let's do something, for Heaven's sake!" said Trenwith. "I hate to
think that all you girls out here are in danger as a result of this
man's villainy. If he does anything rotten, I can see that he's punished
but that might not do you much good."

"I tell you what would do some good, and that's to let Holmes know that
you will punish him, if he exposes himself to punishment," said Charlie
Jamieson. "That's the chief reason he's so bold. He thinks he's above
the law--that he can do anything, and escape the consequences."

"Well, of course," said Trenwith, "it may enlighten him a bit when he
finds that those rascals we caught to-day will have to stand trial, just
as if they were friendless criminals. If what you say about him is so,
he'll be after me to-morrow, trying to call me off. And I guess he'll
find that he's up against the law for once."

"Did you get that telephone fixed up, Nell?" asked Charlie. "You're a
whole lot safer with a telephone right here on the beach. Being half a
mile from the nearest place where you can ever call for help is bad
business."

Eleanor pointed to a row of poles, on which a wire was strung, leading
into the main living tent.

"There it is," she said, gaily. "I don't see how you got them to do it
so fast, though."

"Billy's a sort of political boss round here, as well as district
attorney," laughed Jamieson. "When he says a thing's to be done, and
done in a hurry, he usually has his way."

Eleanor looked curiously at Trenwith, and Charlie, catching the glance,
winked broadly at Dolly Ransom. It was perfectly plain that the young
District Attorney interested Eleanor a good deal. His quiet efficiency
appealed to her. She liked men who did things, and Trenwith was
essentially of that type. He didn't talk much about his plans; he let
results speak for him. And, at the same time, when there was a question
of something to be done, what he did say showed a quiet confidence,
which, while not a bit boastful, proved that he was as sure of himself
as are most competent men.

Also, his admiration for Eleanor was plain and undisguised. Charlie
Jamieson, who was almost like a brother in his relations with Eleanor,
was hugely amused by this. Somehow cousins who are so intimate with a
girl that they take a brother's place, never do seem able to understand
t