The Meadow-Brook Girl held the loop on the palm of her left hand, gazing at the rope reflectively.

She frowned slightly as she looked at it.
"Well, what do you find ?" questioned the captain briskly.
Harriet glanced up at him quickly.
"I understand," she said.
"What is it, Harriet, dear ?" asked Miss Elting.
"Oh, what a mess!" muttered Jane, who had been looking over Harriet's shoulder.

"Here's more trouble for the Meadow-Brook Girls, and trouble for somebody besides them, too." "You can see for yourself," replied Harriet, handing the end of the rope to the guardian.
"The loop has been cut!" exclaimed Miss Elting.
Harriet nodded.
"It has, indeed," agreed Jane.
Miss Elting and Harriet Burrell exchanged significant glances.

George Baker observed the looks.

He nodded to Billy.