Joanne, Bess, and George were just returning from the woods with pails brimming over with luscious-looking berries when Nancy drove into the barnyard. As they started to help her carry in the packages, Karl Abbott Jr. rushed gallantly from the house to assist. He glanced curiously at the soft, fat one which Nancy kept tucked under her arm, but she did not give any explanation of its contents. Besides, the elder Mr. Abbott and Mrs. Salisbury were within hearing distance.

Immediately after a late lunch and some pleasant conversation with the guests. Nancy excused herself and summoned the other girls to her room. There she unwrapped the material and brought out scissors, needles, and thread.

"We must work like mad," she said, "in case there's a meeting tonight."

With great excitement and anticipation she cut out the first costume which was to serve as an entering wedge to the nature-cult ceremonial. As Nancy worked, she told the story of her adventure with her passenger and the conversation of the women in the market.

Joanne was alarmed. "Oh, Gram must never hear of this!" she exclaimed. "She'd be heartbroken!"

The others agreed. "We won't tell Mrs. Byrd any more than we have to," George said. "I do hope we can solve the mystery before something ugly happens!"

For the next few hours their needles flew furiously. At last the costumes were finished. The four friends could not control their laughter as they tried them on.

"You certainly look as if you're ready for Halloween!" George told Nancy. Do you think I'll pass?"

"In the moonlight they won't be able to tell you from a full-fledged member of the cult," Bess declared. "Let's see you go through the mystic rites."

To the delight of her chums. Nancy danced around the room, waving her arms wildly and making weird moans.