Miss Elting agreed that the guide’s plan was as good as could be devised, and promptly directed the girls to return to the hut and, if possible, sleep for the few remaining hours of the night.  That morning the girls overslept.  By the time they awakened, Janus had gathered together all the supplies and equipment to be found below the hut.  Some of the provisions were missing.  Nothing that would be likely to be recognized by the owners had been taken by the man who had thrown their stores overboard, so to speak, so they found themselves better off than they had hoped.  A real breakfast was eaten that morning, after which packs were lashed and the party lost no time in starting to leave the mountain that had furnished them with so much excitement.

The journey down the trail was not a long one.  After reaching the foot of the mountain they were obliged to travel nearly ten miles before reaching a village from whence they would go on by wagon until reaching the point whence they were to be conveyed to Mt.  Washington.

That night found them weary and sleepy, but to stay at a hotel which boasted of all modern conveniences was a welcome change to the mountain climbers, who were both footsore and weary.  It seemed but a few moments after retiring before they were called to get ready for breakfast and the long ride to the foot of the mountain, up which they were to climb.  Their experience on Mt.  Washington was to be both novel and exciting.

CHAPTER XXI

THE ASCENT OF MT.  WASHINGTON

The supper smoke rose lazily in the still air.  Below them lay a vast panorama of valley and now flattened hills.  The Meadow-Brook Girls, after a day of hard climbing, were about half way to the summit of Mt.  Washington.  They had chosen the most difficult climbing to be found in the White Mountain Range.  Janus had promised them some real mountain climbing when they reached Mt.  Washington, and he had made good his word.  They admitted that laughingly upon reaching the spot he had chosen for their night’s camping, and willingly permitted the guide to start the fire while they rested preparatory to getting the supper.

“At least we have the satisfaction of knowing that we have left our friend of the green goggles behind,” said Miss Elting, with a sigh of relief.  “I hope we have seen the last of him.  He certainly tried to spoil our trip.”

“Sheriff’s out on the trail,” answered Janus.  “There’s trouble of some sort down there.  Sheriff’s office said things were popping, but wouldn’t talk much because he—­the fellow I got on the telephone—­didn’t know me.  Funny not to know me, wasn’t it?”

“Yeth,” answered Tommy.

“What did you conclude from what was said?” asked Miss Elting.

“That they were after some one and knew who it was.  I hope they get him.  I hope that, when they do, they give Janus Grubb a chance to tell the fellow what he thinks of him.”