"We'll try it the first chance we get," Frank added.
"We're going, too," said Betty. "You needn't think you can leave us behind when there is anything like that afoot."
"We wouldn't try," said Allen, ruefully. "Especially as you girls say you can swim."
"However, they will have to prove that point," Roy put in.
"That's easy," said Grace fearlessly. "As we have remarked before, we haven't been outdoor girls all our lives for nothing."
"If you boys hadn't been so set on our looking at your old camp to-day," said Amy with unusual spirit, "we would have proved it to you before this. But do you really think there are gypsies on the island?" she added. "Because, if there are, we might be able to find some of their loot." She voiced this last desire in hushed tones.
The girls laughed even while they drew their chairs still closer to the fire.
"Such a chance!" gibed Will, but Betty's eyes were shining in the glow of the fire-light.
"Oh, if we only could!" she whispered softly. "If we could only get the stuff stolen from Deepdale!"
Breakfast was cleaned away and Betty, with Mollie at her heels, made a rush for the bedroom.
"I'm willing to wager anything," called the former, gaily, "that I'll be in my bathing suit before any of the rest of you have started."
"I hope the water isn't too cold," Grace shivered, as she took out her bathing suit. "If there is anything I hate, it's trying to swim in icy water. It almost makes my heart stop beating."
"All right, we'll have the weather man heat it for you," said Betty, slipping into her neat little suit. "I don't know how the water can be cold, though," she added, "the air is suffocating to-day."
"Now--one, two, three--go!" and they were off like four little black sprites, down the broad stairway and into the living room where the boys were already assembled, talking to the chaperon.
The boys wore raincoats over their bathing suits; and, as the girls entered the room, they shouted a merry greeting.
"So soon?" called Frank in surprise. "Why, we didn't expect to see you for an hour at least."
"An hour?" said Betty, with feigned indignation--for she was a good little actress, was Betty. "Why, we thought you were never coming!"
"You mean to say you were waiting for us?" said Allen, incredulously. "Betty, are you telling the truth? Mrs. Irving, is she?"