I
think it had to do with something at Fern Island."
"About Laurel?"
"Yes. I have suspected for a long time that the little runs that
Peters makes up there must have paid him pretty well. Now that he
has fallen out with Tony, likely it'll all come to Jim. Best thing
we can do, miss, is to keep a sharp look out for the girl. If you
can get her to come to camp with you I fancy all the rest will soon
straighten itself."
Cora wondered just how much Ben knew of the mystery of that island.
She felt obliged to withhold Laurel's secret, yet she felt, too,
that Ben would do everything to help her get the girl and the hermit
away from their place of exile.
"I'll tell you, Ben," she said finally. "I'll come to you for
advice just as soon as I find it is time to act. Depend upon it we
are not going to leave Cedar Lake until the mystery of Fern Island
is cleared up."
This seemed to satisfy Ben, for beneath the deep brown of his cheeks
there showed the glow of color that came with pleasure.
"All right, little girl," he said, "if you want me before I come
again, just let me know. Ben will be only too glad to stick by you
and all the rest of them," meaning the campers at Camp Cozy and
those who bungalowed at the Bungle.
He went off, shambling along with his face turned toward the sky and
his feet taking care of themselves. Cora looked after him.
"Dear old Ben," Cora mused, "everything seems worth while when it
takes 'everything' to make such a friend as you can be.
Pages:
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149