half
past eight
Most of the Moonshiners belonged to the Golf Club , and they had gotten permission to have their fire in a secluded little grove behind the course . Babbie , who had organized the Moonshiners and was their mistress of ceremonies , held many secret conferences with Madeline Ayres and the two spent a long afternoon sewing behind locked doors , on some dark brown stuff , which Babbie subsequently tied into a big , untidy parcel and carried up to Professor Henderson 's . So the Moonshiners expected a `` feature '' in addition to the familiar delights of a bacon-roast , and they turned out in such numbers that Bob had to ride a fat little carriage horse and Babbie bravely mounted the spirited mare `` Lady , '' who had frightened her so on Mountain Day . But there was no storm this time to agitate Lady 's nerves , and they kept clear of the river and the ferries ; so everything went smoothly and the Moonshiners cantered up to the Club house at half past eight in the highest possible spirits . They could see the grove as they dismounted and every one but Babbie was surprised to find the fire already lighted . The dishes and provisions had been carried out in big hampers in the afternoon , and the wood gathered , so there was nothing to do now but stroll over to the fire and begin . `` Why , somebody 's there , '' cried Betty suddenly .