Not far away was a resort much frequented by the summer colonists, and though it was not yet in full swing there were some amusements opened.  These the young people enjoyed on several evenings.

“Well, I do hope my new suitcase comes tomorrow,” spoke Grace, for she had written for one to be forwarded to her, containing fresh garments.

“And I need some clothes!” cried Mollie.  “This walking is harder on them than you’d think.”

Fortunately the garments came on time, and in fresh outfits the girls prepared to bid farewell to the camp, and once more proceed on their way.  The boys begged for permission to accompany them, but Betty was firm in refusing.

“We said we would make this tour all by ourselves,” she declared, “and we are going to do it.  Some other time you boys may come along.  But there is only another day or so, and we will be back home.  Please don’t tease.”

The boys did, but that was all the good it availed them.  The girls were obdurate.

From Cameron they were to go to Judgeville, a thriving town of about ten thousand inhabitants.  Betty’s cousin lived there, and had planned a round of gaieties for her young relative and friends.  They were to stay three days, and from there would keep on to Deepdale, thus completing the circuit they had mapped out.

So far they had been very fortunate, not much rain coming to interfere with their progress.  The morning they were to leave camp, however, the weather changed, and for three miserable days they were compelled to remain in the bungalow.

Not that they stayed indoors all the while, for the travelers fully merited the title, “Outdoor Girls,” and they lived up to it.  They tramped even in the rain, and managed to have a good time.

But the rain sent the boys home, for rain in a tent is most depressing, and as all the other bungalows were being repaired, they could not live in one with any comfort.

But finally the sun came out, and the girls really set off on almost the last stage of their tour.  They expected to be in Judgeville at night, though the walk was about the longest they had planned for any one day.

Shortly before noon their way took them along a highway that paralleled the railroad—­the same line that ran to Deepdale.  And, naturally, the talk turned to the finding of the five hundred dollar bill.

“Do you suppose we’ll ever find the owner?” asked Mollie.

“Of course we will!” exclaimed Betty.  “It is only a question of time.”

Once or twice Amy looked back down the railroad track, and Grace, noticing this, in the intervals of eating chocolate, finally asked: 

“What is it, Amy?”

“That man,” replied the quiet girl.  “He’s been following us for some time.”

“Following us!” cried Betty.  “What do you mean?”

“I mean walking along the railroad track back of us.”

“Well, that may not mean he is following us.  Probably he wants to get somewhere, and the track is the shortest route.”