THE

SLIPPER POINT MYSTERY

"Why, it's a room!" she gasped

THE

SLIPPER POINT MYSTERY

BY

AUGUSTA HUIELL SEAMAN

Author of "Three Sides of Paradise Green," "The

Girl Next Door," "The Sapphire Signet," etc.

ILLUSTRATED BY

C. M. RELYEA

NEW YORK

THE CENTURY CO.

1921

Copyright, 1919, by

The Century Co.

CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

THE

SLIPPER POINT MYSTERY

CHAPTER I

THE ENCOUNTER

She sat on the prow of a beached rowboat, digging her bare toes in the sand.

There were many other rowboats drawn up on the sandy edge of the river,—as many as twenty or thirty, not to speak of the green and red canoes lying on the shore, bottoms up, like so many strange insects. A large number of sailboats were also anchored near the shore or drawn up to the long dock that stretched out into the river.

For this was Carter's Landing, the only place on lovely little Manituck River where pleasure-boats could be hired. Beside the long dock there was, up a wide flight of steps, a large pavilion where one could sit and watch the lights and shadows on the river and its many little activities. There were long benches and tables to accommodate picnic-parties and, in an inner room, a counter where candies, ice cream and soda-water were dispensed. And lastly, one part of the big pavilion was used as a dancing-floor where, afternoons and evenings, to the music of a violin and piano, merry couples whirled and circled.

Down on the sand was a signboard which said:

"Children Must Not Play in the Boats."

Nevertheless, she sat on the prow of one, this girl of fourteen, digging her bare toes aimlessly in the sand, and by her side on the prow-seat sat a tiny child of about three, industriously sucking the thumb of her right hand, while she pulled at a lock of her thick straight hair with her left. So she sat, saying nothing, but staring contentedly out over the water.