Just then something caught her eye, which caused her to pause, and look more closely.  “Rod Royal” were the words she first saw, but they were enough to make her devour eagerly the whole story of the adventure of the previous night.  She studied the two words which had first arrested her attention, paying no heed to her breakfast which was getting cold.  Neither did she notice the number of eyes turned upon her by various people in the room, for all were greatly interested in the famous singer, who had made such a remarkable hit the night before.  There came to her again the picture of a sturdy little lad standing before her, with tousled auburn hair, pleading on behalf of an invalid girl away up in the country.  Then her mind went back to that terrible night when she had carried him to the door of the rectory, and left him to the mercy of those within.  And now she was looking upon his name in the paper.  He was hers, and yet he did not know her.

It seemed to Rod that the steamer would never reach Hillcrest wharf.  There were so many stops to make for passengers to disembark, and freight to be unloaded, that the boat was later than usual.  He was almost certain that the concert would be over before they arrived.  At last they were there, and the steamer’s guard had scarcely touched the wharf, as he and Phil leaped ashore.  Then they scurried down the road, leaving Mr. Dexter far behind.  They were well aware that they had no time to go home for their scout suits, and this was a great disappointment.  As they came in sight of the Anchorage they saw many people moving about the grounds.  Rod waited to speak to no one, but hurried at once into Whyn’s room.  The girl greeted him with a cry of joy.

“Oh, Rod!” she exclaimed; “I am so glad you are back.  Captain Josh is in a terrible state of worry.”

She was sitting by the open window where she could see all that was going on outside.  It was a beautiful evening, and the sun of the long summer day was still high above the horizon.

“How is everything going, Whyn?” Rod breathlessly enquired, as he wiped his hot face with his small handkerchief.

“Great,” was the reply.  “That is, so far.  And only think, Rod, Miss Arabella has been here all day helping Mrs. Britt.  She is a wonder.  She is selling refreshments now.”

“Is grandad here?” Rod asked.

“Yes, and everybody else, I guess.  The summer people have turned out splendidly.  There are several autos here, and so many strange people.  I don’t know any of them.”

As Whyn mentioned the autos an expression of anxiety came into Rod’s eyes.  He wondered if Miss Royanna had arrived.  Perhaps she was waiting for him.  He must go and find out at once.

Left once more alone, Whyn sat and watched all that was going on.  Her face was flushed with excitement, and her eyes sparkled with animation.  But she was disappointed, nevertheless.  The choir could not come, and so there would be no singing.  Several of the members were away, so Parson Dan had told her, and the others would not come without them.  The people will think it so strange, she said to herself, and the scouts will feel badly.  Whoever heard of a concert without singing and music of some kind.