"But don't stay away after dark." Left to themselves, the three girls swept up the chips the builders had left and started up the camp-fire.

Then they tidied up the house generally, and soon set about preparing the supper.
Dora was at the spring getting a pail of water when a sound on the rocks nearby caused her to look around in wonder.

To her amazement Dan Baxter stood there, staring at her in open-mouthed astonishment.
"Dan Baxter!" she gasped.

"Where in the world did you come from ?" For a moment the bully did not answer, so great was his amazement.
Dora noted that he was dirty and unkempt, and that his clothing was almost in rags.
"Is it you, Dora Stanhope ?" came slowly from the fellow's lips.

"Is it really you ?" "Yes," she answered.
"How did you get here?
Are you alone ?" went on Baxter, coming closer.
And then before she could answer, he added: "Got anything to eat ?" At the last question she looked at him more closely, and saw that he appeared half starved.