It was the day Tish began her diary that we discovered the red-haired
man's signal. Tish was compelled to remain at home most of the day,
breaking in another pair of shoes, and she amused herself by watching
the river and writing down interesting things. She had read somewhere of
the value of such records of impressions:--
10 A.M. Gull on rock. Very pretty. Frightened away by the McDonald
person, who has just taken up his customary position. Is he reading
or watching this camp?
10.22. Detective is breakfasting--through glasses, he is eating canned
corn. Aggie--pickerel, from bank.
10.40. Aggie's cat, beside her, has caught a small fish. Aggie declares
that the cat stole one of her worms and held it in the water. I think
she is mistaken.
11. Most extraordinary thing--Hutchins has asked permission to take pen
and ink across to the detective! Have consented.
11.20. Hutchins is still across the river. If I did not know differently
I should say she and the detective are quarreling. He is whittling
something. Through glasses, she appears to stamp her foot.
11.30. Aggie has captured a small sunfish. Hutchins is still across the
river. He seems to be appealing to her for something--possibly the
underwear. We have none to spare.
11.40. Hutchins is an extraordinary girl. She hates men, evidently. She
has had some sort of quarrel with the detective and has returned flushed
with battle. Mr. McDonald called to her as she passed, but she ignored
him.
12, noon. Really, there is something mysterious about all this. The
detective was evidently whittling a flagpole. He has erected it now,
with a red silk handkerchief at end. It hangs out over the water.
Aggie--bass, but under legal size.
1.15 P.M. The flag puzzles Hutchins. She is covertly watching it. It is
evidently a signal--but to whom? Are the secret-service men closing in
on McDonald?