Harriet was regarding the dark objects with inquiring eyes.

   "I wish we had a boat," said Miss Elting. "We could gather up our stuff. We can't afford to lose it."

   "We don't need a boat. Jane and I will get it out. What do you say, Jane?" answered Harriet.

   "I don't know what you have in mind, darlin', but I'm with you, whatever it is."

   "You and I will go in after the things."

   "You don't mean it!" exclaimed Jane. "And in this cold water. Br-rr-r!"

   "No; you must not do that," objected the guardian. "At least not now."

   "What is it you folks are planning?" questioned Hazel, who, with Tommy and Buster, had joined the party at the end of the pier. Jane explained what Harriet had proposed. Margery's teeth began to chatter again.

   "My—my weak heart won't stand any more," she groaned. "Don't ask me to go into that horrid, cold water again.

    Please

   don't!"

   "You won't feel the cold once you are in," urged Harriet.

   "No. I didn't feel it the other time, did I?"

   "What? Go in thwimming," demanded Tommy. "I wouldn't go in that water again for a dollar and fifty thentth; no, not for a dollar and theventy-five thentth." Tommy began backing away, as though fearing the others might insist and assist her in. Suddenly she uttered a scream.

   "Thave me!" yelled Tommy.

   They saw her lurch backward; her feet left the pier; then came a splash. Tommy Thompson had gone over backward and taken to the water head first.

   "Thave me! Oh, thave me!"

   Tommy had turned over and righted herself before rising to the surface. When she did appear she was within a foot or so of the pier. Her little blonde head popped up from under the water all of a sudden,

   and in that instant she opened her mouth in a wail for help. Tommy's companions were fairly hysterical with merriment. Tommy yelled again, begging them to "thave" her.

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