nly a matter of a
lost document. We may get along without it, but we understood you were
a life-long resident, knew the people, and thought perhaps you could
tell us something about it. Of course we don't want anyone's time for
nothing."

The clerk scratched his head and looked over his glasses. The scale
was tipping with white stuff and a customer was waiting.

"That may be so," he replied, slowly, "but I should think, young
fellow, that them folks themselves would know more about their own
business than anyone else. Why don't you go to them?"

"Do you think for a moment that anyone is going to do themselves out
of house and home like that?" asked the taller man, angrily.

"Oh, that's the game; is it? Well, see here! Do you think for one
moment that I, Bill Sparks, am going to do a poor widow out of house
and home to suit you!"

He had raised his voice to angry tones, a remarkable thing for Bill to
do in business hours, but those around who heard had no blame for him.
The strangers left without taking up their cigars or paying for them.
Bill looked after them quizzically.

"That's the way to answer that sort," he remarked to no one in
particular. "Too many of them speculators around the bay, lately. Cold
cream?" he inquired of Bess.

Cora had seen the men, although she was in the grocery department, and
when Bess told her what she had overheard she looked troubled.

"We must not put that off another day," she told Bess. "I am convinced
that those men are dishonest, for why should they go sneaking around
that way? Why not ask for information from the proper persons?"

Scarcely had she spoken than Mrs. Lewis and Freda appeared in the
doorway that led from the boat landing. Freda's face was flushed, and
Mrs. Lewis's was pale.

"What is it?" Cora asked, hurrying up to them.

"They have started a mill dam across the creek," replied Freda. "If
they turn that water into use for mill purposes the whole shore of the
bay will be ruined!"

"Don't go so fast, daughter," urged Mrs. Lewis. "We can stop them; we
must get a lawyer at once."

"Of course," answered Cora, "I think they call it an injunction, or
restraining papers. Who is your lawyer, Mrs. Lewis?"

"We haven't any," Freda replied for her mother. "We were told if we
engaged counsel they would eat up the whole thing. Oh, isn't it
dreadful!" and the brave Freda was on the verge of tears.

"I'll see Jack at once," declared Cora, "and if there are not
trust