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bouncing the launch on the waves and getting drenched. She slowed down sedately when she was within view of the island. Gavin, Sally, Peter and Ross were sitting in a row on the dock, each dangling a line in the water.
    â€œLook at all the bass we’ve caught, Norah!” Gavin showed her a pail full of flopping silver fish.
    Norah fetched a fishing pole from the boathouse and joined them. They caught four more bass, cleaned them in the lake and took them up to Hanny to put in the icehouse. Then they all went swimming. The water was so warm now that they stayed in until the tips of their fingers became wrinkled.
    â€œThis summer we’re being detectives,” Gavin told Norah as they baked on their towels in the burning sun. “We have an agency called ‘The Fearless Four.’”
    â€œWe’ll solve anything, ” said Sally. “No case is too difficult.”
    â€œPeter and I got a fingerprinting set for Christmas last year,” said Ross.
    â€œAnd I borrowed Aunt Florence’s magnifying glass,” said Gavin.
    â€œSo what case are you solving right now?” asked Norah lazily.
    â€œWe haven’t actually begun yet,” Gavin told her. “We’re getting prepared, though. Tonight we’re going to takeeveryone’s fingerprints, so we’ll have them on record.”
    â€œOur headquarters are in the playhouse,” said Peter. “No one else seems to be using it this year,” he added defensively. Last summer the younger cousins had been banned from the playhouse by the Hornets.
    Gavin looked worried. “Is that all right, Norah? We’ve already moved some stuff in there.”
    â€œGo ahead and use it,” Norah told them.
    â€œThanks!” said Sally. “If you want anything solved, just come and see us there.”
    Norah promised she would. She’d never thought of playing detective herself. Now it was too late.
    A T TWO-THIRTY Mr. Hancock, Flo and Janet took off in the Florence to pick up Andrew in Port Clarkson. Two hours later most of the clan were on the dock waiting for them to come back. Norah hadn’t intended to meet him with the others, but curiosity kept her there.
    â€œHe’s here! Andrew! Andrew!” screamed Clare, waving both arms.
    â€œFor heaven’s sake, Clare, control yourself!” Aunt Mar told her daughter. But Clare shrieked even louder when the launch drew up to the dock. A tall boy stepped out, laughing as he pushed away Clare’s attacking arms.
    â€œMy dear boy, how wonderful to have you back with us.” Everyone let Aunt Florence greet him next, then they all descended upon him. Andrew didn’t seem to mind. He shook hands with his uncles and kissed his aunts’ cheeks, his deep laugh rising above the babble.
    He acts like he’s a prince or someone, Norah thought.
    â€œYou’ve never met our war guests, have you?” said Aunt Florence. Norah scanned Andrew’s face warily as she and Gavin were introduced. He had slicked-back, wavy brown hair, a wide mouth and long grey eyes that curled up at the edges and made him look as if he were always smiling. Norah frowned. Anyone this good-looking was bound to be conceited.
    Andrew focused his smile on her and said quietly, “How are you, Norah? I’ve heard a lot about you. Do you feel like a Canadian now that you’ve been here for so long?”
    How dare he ask something so personal! He’d only just met her! And he acted so condescending, as if he felt sorry for her. Norah didn’t answer. She moved away as Andrew, hemmed in by his relatives, was practically carried up to the cottage.
    Norah stayed down at the dock with her book until it was time to pick up Aunt Mary, trying not to hear the whoops of laughter from above. Her first day back had turned sour. And the rest of the summer was going to be terrible if all this fuss over Andrew continued. But maybe he wouldn’t stay long.
    â€œHas he