“You see, they’ve got more apples than they need, and those on the ground are just going to waste,” continued Carol, pending the arrival of the little pledge.  “The chickens are pecking at them, and ruining them.”

“It’s criminal destruction, that’s what it is,” declared Lark.

Connie stood before them respectfully, as they had instructed her to stand.  The twins hesitated, each secretly hoping the other would voice the order.  But Lark as usual was obliged to be the spokesman.

“Damsel,” she said, “it is the will of Skull and Crossbones that you hie ye to yonder orchard,—­Avery’s, I mean,—­and bring hither some of the golden apples basking in the sun.”

“What!” ejaculated Connie, startled out of her respect.

Carol frowned.

Connie hastened to modify her tone.  “Did they say you might have them?” she inquired politely.

“That concerns thee not, ’tis for thee only to render obedience to the orders of the Society.  Go out through our field and sneak under the fence where the wires are loose, and hurry back.  We’re awfully hungry.  The trees are near the fence.  There isn’t any danger.”

“But it’s stealing,” objected Connie.  “What will Prudence——­”

“Damsel!” And Connie turned to obey with despair in her heart.

“Bring twelve,” Carol called after her, “that’ll be four apiece.  And hurry, Connie.  And see they don’t catch you while you’re about it.”

After she had gone, the twins lay back thoughtfully on the hay and stared at the cobwebby roof above them.

“It’s a good thing Prudence and Fairy are downtown,” said Lark sagely.

“Yes, or we’d catch it,” assented Carol.  “But I don’t see why!  The Averys have too many apples, and they are going to waste.  I’m sure Mrs. Avery would rather let us have them than the chickens.”

They lay in silence for a while.  Something was hurting them, but whether it was their fear of the wrath of Prudence, or the twinges of tender consciences,—­who can say?

“She’s an unearthly long time about it,” exclaimed Lark, at last.  “Do you suppose they caught her?”

This was an awful thought, and the girls were temporarily suffocated.  But they heard the barn door swinging beneath them, and sighed with relief.  It was Connie!  She climbed the ladder skilfully, and poured her golden treasure before the arch thieves, Skull and Crossbones.

There were eight big tempting apples.

“Hum!  Eight,” said Carol sternly.  “I said twelve.”

“Yes, but I was afraid some one was coming.  I heard such a noise through the grapevines, so I got what I could and ran for it.  There’s three apiece for you, and two for me,” said Connie, sitting down sociably beside them on the hay.

But Carol rose.  “Damsel, begone,” she ordered.  “When Skull and Crossbones feast, thou canst not yet share the festive board.  Rise thee, and speed.”