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diff --git a/38123-h/38123-h.htm b/38123-h/38123-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..63162a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/38123-h/38123-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7815 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/> + <meta name="generator" content="ppgen"/> + <meta name="author" content="Laura Dent Crane"/> + <meta name="date" content="1913"/> + <meta name="title" content="The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach"/> + <title>The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach, by Laura Dent Crane</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 10%; margin-bottom: 10%; + text-align: justify; } + p { margin-top:.7071em; margin-bottom:.7071em; text-align:justify; } + .pagenum { display:inline; font-size:x-small; text-align:right; text-indent:0; + position:absolute; right:2%; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; + font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none; + background-color:inherit; border:1px solid #eee; } + .pncolor { color:silver; } + .sc { font-variant:small-caps; } + div.figure { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + p.caption { text-align:center; } + div.chapter { margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:1em; } + p.cln0 { text-align:center; display: block; font-size:1.3em; } + p.cln1 { text-align:center; display: block; margin-top:0.5em; font-size:1.2em; } + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach, by Laura Dent Crane + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach + Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies + +Author: Laura Dent Crane + +Release Date: November 24, 2011 [EBook #38123] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class="figure"> +<img src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" alt="image"/> +<p class="caption">The Girls Sat On the Broad Piazza.</p> +</div> + +<p style="margin-top:4em;"> </p> + +<p style="text-align:center;font-size: 1.6em;">THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH</p> + +<p style="text-align:center;">OR</p> + +<p style="text-align:center;font-size: 1.3em;">PROVING THEIR METTLE UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES</p> + +<p style="text-align:center;">By</p> + +<p style="text-align:center;">LAURA DENT CRANE</p> + +<p style="text-align:center;font-size: 0.8em;margin-bottom: 0.0em;"> Author of The Automobile Girls at Newport, The Automobile</p> +<p style="text-align:center;font-size: 0.8em;margin-top: 0.0em;margin-bottom: 0.0em;"> Girls in the Berkshires, The Automobile Girls Along the</p> +<p style="text-align:center;font-size: 0.8em;margin-top: 0.0em;"> Hudson, The Automobile Girls at Chicago, etc.</p> + +<p style="text-align:center;">Illustrated</p> + +<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom: 0.0em;">PHILADELPHIA</p> + +<p style="text-align:center;margin-top: 0.0em;">HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY</p> + +<p style="margin-top:4em;"> </p> + +<p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom: 0.0em;"><span class='sc'>Copyright, 1913, by</span></p> + +<p style="text-align:center;margin-top: 0.0em;"><span class='sc'>Howard E. Altemius</span></p> + +<p style="text-align:center;font-size: 0.8em;">PRINTED IN U. S. A.</p> + +<p style='font-size:larger; text-align:center; margin-top:3em;'>Contents</p> +<a id='toc'></a> +<table style="margin:1em auto" summary="toc"> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">I.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chI">The Land of Dreams</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">7</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">II.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chII">A West Indian Squall</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">21</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">III.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chIII">The Fair Unknown</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">32</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">IV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chIV">The Compact</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">43</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">V.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chV">The Daughter of Mrs. De Lancey Smythe</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">51</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">VI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chVI">The Countess Sophia</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">64</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">VII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chVII">Tea in the Cocoanut Grove</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">75</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chVIII">The Warning</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">87</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">IX.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chIX">A Case of Mistaken Identity</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">95</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">X.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chX">The Secret Signals</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">105</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXI">Wheels Within Wheels</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">113</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXII">Maud Refuses to Be Rescued</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">123</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXIII">A Surprise Party</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">132</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XIV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXIV">The Plot Thickens</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">147</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XV.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXV">Caught Napping</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">154</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XVI.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXVI">Welcome and Unwelcome Guests</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">166</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XVII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXVII">The Midnight Intruder</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">179</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XVIII.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXVIII">The Water Fête</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">189</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XIX.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXIX">Red Dominos</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">200</td></tr> +<tr><td style="padding-right:1em" align="right">XX.</td><td align="left"><a href="#chXX">Conclusion</a></td><td style="padding-left:3em" align="right">204</td></tr> +</table> + +<p style="margin-top:4em;"> </p> + +<p style="text-align:center;font-size: 1.5em;margin-top: 1.0em;margin-bottom: 1.0em;">The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_7"></a>7</span> +<a id='chI'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER I</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE LAND OF DREAMS</p> +</div> + + +<p>“I don’t believe anything could be more +lovely than this,” exclaimed Mollie +Thurston, leaning back in a wicker chair +on the piazza of one of the largest hotels at +Palm Beach.</p> + +<p>“Right you are!” replied her friend, Ruth +Stuart, as she gazed across the still blue waters +of Lake Worth dotted with pleasure boats. “I +can’t decide whether I should like to ride in +the automobile, or sail, or just sit in the cocoanut +grove and listen to the music. Life seems +so easy under a blue sky like this, and there +are so many things to do that it is hard to make +a choice.”</p> + +<p>“What do people usually do at this hour?” +Grace Carter asked. “A woman I talked with +on the train told me there was a programme of +amusements for every hour at Palm Beach.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span> +</p> + +<p>“Well, my dear, you have only to gaze about +you and see for yourself. It is now high noon,” +answered Ruth, consulting her watch.</p> + +<p>Grace glanced quickly about her. All along +the broad piazza, and under awnings on the +lawn, a gay company of men, women and young +people were sipping delicious iced fruit drinks +in tall, thin glasses.</p> + +<p>“It is undoubtedly the witching hour for pineapple +lemonades,” said Ruth. “And we must +be in the fashion immediately. Papa,” she +called to her father, who was immersed in the +pages of a New York newspaper several days +old, “you are not doing your duty by us. We +are getting awfully thirsty.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart, clad in white, and looking the +picture of comfort, smiled lazily over his paper +at his daughter. “Order what you like, my +dear. Am I not always at the command of the +‘Automobile Girls’? What do you wish, little +lady?” he asked, turning to Barbara Thurston, +who had been lost in a day-dream and had heard +nothing of the conversation.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t any wish,” responded Barbara. +“I am too happy to be troubled with wishes.”</p> + +<p>“Then suppose I wish for you, Bab?” suggested +Ruth. “Go back to your own sweet +dreams. I’ll wake you when the wish comes +true.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span> +</p> + +<p>Presently the four girls were sipping their +fruit lemonades like the rest of the world at +Palm Beach. On the breeze the sound of music +was wafted to them from a morning concert in +the distance.</p> + +<p>“Where is Aunt Sallie?” Ruth suddenly +asked, again interrupting her father’s reading. +“This place has bewitched me so that I have +forgotten even my beloved aunt. This is the +land of dreams, I do believe. We are all spirits +from some happy world.”</p> + +<p>“Here comes your spirit aunt,” returned Mr. +Stuart, smiling. “She has evidently been +spirited away by some other friendly spirits.”</p> + +<p>The girls laughed as they saw the substantial +figure of Miss Sallie Stuart strolling down +the piazza. She was walking between two +other persons, one a tall, middle-aged man with +dark hair slightly tinged with gray, the other +a young woman. They were all three talking +animatedly.</p> + +<p>“Girls, look!” exclaimed Ruth, in suppressed +excitement. “Aunt Sallie is with that Maud +Warren. You remember we met her at Lenox, +Bab, and she tried to ride you down in the +famous race. Delightful creature—to keep +away from.” Ruth gave a contemptuous sniff, +then added. “That nice looking man must be +her father.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span> +</p> + +<p>“She looks as haughty as ever, and then some +more,” said Mollie aggressively.</p> + +<p>The girls giggled softly, then straightened +their faces for the trio was almost upon them, +and it was not safe to indulge in further conversation.</p> + +<p>After seeing that his charges were supplied +with lemonade, Mr. Stuart had returned to his +paper.</p> + +<p>“Robert,” broke in Miss Sallie’s dignified +voice, “this is Mr. Warren and his daughter +Miss Warren. They——”</p> + +<p>But at the first word Mr. Stuart had risen +and the two men were enthusiastically shaking +hands.</p> + +<p>“Why, Warren,” exclaimed Mr. Stuart, “I +had no idea that you were in this part of the +world. The last time I saw you, you were +ranching out in Idaho.”</p> + +<p>“Quite true,” replied Mr. Warren, smiling, +“but that was ten years ago. A great many +things have happened since then.” He sighed +and looked out over the blue lake. “Mrs. Warren +died the next year,” he said slowly. “Maud +and I are alone.”</p> + +<p>“I am deeply sorry to hear of your great +loss,” sympathized Mr. Stuart and his fine face +saddened. He too had known that loss.</p> + +<p>Turning to Maud who had been exchanging +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span> +rather distant greetings with the four girls, he +said pleasantly. “So this is Maud. She was +a little girl in short dresses when last I saw +her. How these children do grow up.”</p> + +<p>Maud smiled frigidly and for the fraction of +a second allowed her hand to touch that of Mr. +Stuart. “One must grow up some time, you +know,” she murmured.</p> + +<p>“I should like to stay eighteen forever,” exclaimed +Ruth, with enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>“Would you indeed?” remarked Maud Warren, +raising her eyebrows. “How odd!”</p> + +<p>There was a brief silence. The four girls +stared straight ahead and tried to control their +desire to laugh. During their stay at Lenox +the year before the circumstances of which having +been fully told in the “<span class='sc'>Automobile Girls +in the Berkshires</span>,” they had not been impressed +with Maud Warren, on account of her +disagreeable and overbearing manner. But the +blasé air that she now affected, was in their +candid eyes extremely ridiculous, and her remark +to Ruth had filled them all with unseemly +mirth.</p> + +<p>Maud Warren, however, serenely unconscious +of what was passing through their minds, sank +into a wicker chair, and deliberately turning +her back upon the “Automobile Girls,” began +a conversation with Miss Sallie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span> +</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” dated their organization +back to almost two years before, when +Barbara Thurston had bravely stopped a runaway +team of horses driven by Ruth Stuart, a +rich western girl, summering in Kingsbridge, +the home town of the Thurstons.</p> + +<p>A warm friendship had sprung up between +Ruth Stuart, Barbara and Mollie Thurston, +that resulted in a journey to Newport in Ruth’s +red motor car, familiarly known as Mr. A. Bubble. +Grace Carter, a Kingsbridge girl, had been +asked to complete the quartette of adventurous +damsels, while Miss Sallie Stuart, Ruth’s aunt +had gone along as chaperon.</p> + +<p>After a series of remarkable events their +trip ended with the capture of a society +“cracksman,” known to the police as the “Boy +Raffles.” The “Automobile Girls” then returned +to Kingsbridge, where several weeks +later, Mr. A. Bubble once more bore them away +to the heart of the Berkshires. There they +spent a delightful month, in a little log cabin, +roughing it. In “<span class='sc'>The Automobile Girls in the +Berkshires</span>,” the story of the little Indian +“ghost” that haunted “Lost Man’s Trail,” and +who afterwards turned out to be an Indian +princess is charmingly related.</p> + +<p>After a winter of hard study, the “Automobile +Girls” were again reunited, and in “<span class='sc'>The</span> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> +<span class='sc'>Automobile Girls Along the Hudson</span>,” their +journey through the beautiful Sleepy Hollow +Country is narrated. The eventful weeks spent +in the ancestral home of Major Ten Eyck, an +old friend of Miss Sallie Stuart’s, ending with +their brave fight to save the beautiful old house +from destruction by forest fires, made the “Automobile +Girls” stand out as true heroines.</p> + +<p>The best work since their initial adventure, +however, had been done in Chicago, and the +record of it, set down in “<span class='sc'>The Automobile +Girls at Chicago</span>,” was not yet three months +old. While on a holiday visit to Ruth, at her +Chicago home, they had been the guests of the +Presbys, relatives of the Stuarts, at their country +place “Treasureholme.” Owing to imprudent +speculation in wheat, both Mr. Stuart and +Mr. Presby had become heavily involved and +were facing financial ruin. Through the efforts +of Barbara Thurston, aided by the other “Automobile +Girls” the rich treasure, buried by +one of the ancestors, was discovered in time to +save the Presby estate.</p> + +<p>Before leaving Chicago, Mr. Stuart had promised +his daughter and her friends a sojourn at +Palm Beach during the month of March. Now +the “Automobile Girls” had actually arrived +in the “Land of Flowers” eager for any pleasure +that sunny Florida might yield them. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span> +</p> + +<p>The four young girls were unusually quiet as +they sat idly looking out over the water. Maud +Warren’s arrival had cast a chill over them.</p> + +<p>It had been an enchanted land, Barbara reflected +rather resentfully, now the enchantment +was broken.</p> + +<p>Ruth sat covertly taking stock of Miss Warren’s +elaborate white lace gown and wondering +why young girls ever insisted on aping so called +“society” fashions. While Mollie and Grace +speculated as to how long a call the Warrens +were going to make.</p> + +<p>Maud, totally oblivious that she had been +weighed in the balance by four stern young +judges, and found wanting, languidly conversed +with Miss Stuart, in her most grown-up manner.</p> + +<p>“Have you met the De Lancey Smythes, Miss +Stuart?” she drawled. “They are too utterly +charming. Mrs. De Lancey Smythe belongs to +an old, old Southern family. She is a widow, +with one daughter, Marian, a most delightful +young woman. It was only through them that +I was persuaded to come here.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed,” replied Miss Sallie. “We arrived +yesterday. Therefore we have met no one, as +yet.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not,” agreed Maud. “You really +must meet them!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span> +</p> + +<p>“I should be pleased to meet any friends of +yours, Miss Warren,” replied Miss Stuart +courteously.</p> + +<p>“By the way, Stuart,” said Mr. Warren, +“what do you say to a sail in my launch, this +afternoon? I should like to entertain some one +besides the De Lancey Smythes. They are too +fine for me. I am just a plain blunt man, and +can’t stand too many extra frills. Maud, see +to it that you don’t invite them. I absolutely +refuse to be bothered with them, to-day.”</p> + +<p>Maud flushed hotly at her father’s contemptuous +allusion to the De Lancey Smythes. But +restraining her feelings she turned to Miss Stuart +with a forced attempt at graciousness.</p> + +<p>“Won’t you come for a sail? It will be awfully +good of you.”</p> + +<p>“We should be delighted, I am sure,” replied +Mr. Stuart, looking gravely at Maud. He then +turned a compassionate gaze toward his friend, +Mr. Warren. “That is, I mean we shall go +with you, provided my sister has made no other +plans.”</p> + +<p>“Are you sure your launch won’t pitch, Mr. +Warren?” inquired Miss Stuart.</p> + +<p>“I am perfectly certain, Miss Stuart,” replied +the millionaire. “The lake is like a mill +pond to-day. There is not a ripple on it.”</p> + +<p>While they had been making their plans for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span> +the afternoon, a man had been leaning idly +against the railing of the piazza. He now +strolled quietly away, without having appeared +to notice any one of them, or to have overheard +any of their conversation.</p> + +<p>But Barbara had observed him. She had an +unquenchable curiosity concerning faces. And +this man appeared indefinably interesting.</p> + +<p>Was it the foreign cut of his dark suit, conspicuous +among the crowds of white ones worn +by most of the men at Palm Beach? Or was it +his strong, clean-shaven face with its rather +heavy bull-dog jaw, its square chin, and keen +gray eyes, a little too narrow for Bab’s taste? +Bab did not know, then. But she took in the +man’s whole expression, and the adverse opinion +she silently formed, at that time, she never +had occasion to change.</p> + +<p>As the party was about to separate for +luncheon two women appeared in a nearby doorway +and stood looking up and down the piazza.</p> + +<p>“Oh, there are dear Marian and her mother!” +cried Maud, hurrying over to greet her friends.</p> + +<p>“Dear Mrs. De Lancey Smythe,” exclaimed +Maud, with a defiant look toward her father, +“I do so want you to go out with us in our +launch this afternoon. Won’t you let me introduce +some new friends to you, who are going +to sail with us?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span> +</p> + +<p>Mr. Warren turned red. A look of disappointment, +verging on anger crept into his good-natured +brown eyes as his daughter deliberately +defied him.</p> + +<p>The De Lancey Smythes glanced toward the +Stuart party, with bored indifference.</p> + +<p>Mrs. De Lancey Smythe made some low-voiced +remark to Maud who nodded her head +slightly. Whereupon mother and daughter +moved toward Miss Stuart with an air of +haughty condescension.</p> + +<p>Mrs. De Lancey Smythe might have been +anywhere from thirty-five to forty-five. She +was tall, well-proportioned and a decided +brunette. At a glance one would have decided +her to be very handsome, but close observers +would have noted a hard expression about +the eyes and mouth that completely destroyed +the effect of beauty. As for her daughter, +Marian, she was a small, slender insignificant +young woman who seemed entirely overshadowed +by her mother’s personality.</p> + +<p>Both mother and daughter were dressed perhaps +a shade too elaborately for good taste, +and there was something about them that immediately +aroused a sense of vague disapproval +in the minds of the Stuart party.</p> + +<p>“Maud is always so thoughtful of her +friends,” murmured Mrs. De Lancey Smythe, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span> +turning to Miss Sallie with well simulated appreciation. +“She knows how fond we are of +sailing.”</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie looked sharply at the speaker. +The De Lancey Smythes were evidently unaware +of Mr. Warren’s animosity toward them. +She was about to frame some polite excuse for +not going on the launch, hoping to thus nip in +the bud the proposed sail, when suddenly meeting +Mr. Warren’s eyes, she saw an expression +of entreaty in them that made her hesitate.</p> + +<p>“I hope you and your ‘Automobile Girls’ will +not disappoint me,” he said pleadingly.</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” responded Miss Stuart. “We +shall be pleased to go.”</p> + +<p>With a formal bow to Mrs. De Lancey Smythe +and her daughter, Miss Sallie marshaled her +little force and left the piazza.</p> + +<p>“Very charming people,” remarked Mrs. De +Lancey Smythe, to Maud Warren, after they +had disappeared. But there was an unpleasant +light in her eyes, and a certain tightening +of her lips that showed resentment at the manner +of her reception by the Stuart party.</p> + +<p>“We shall be obliged to play our cards very +carefully,” she warned Marian, when in the +privacy of their own apartment. “That Miss +Stuart seems already inclined to be hostile. As +for those girls——” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span> +</p> + +<p>“I think they’re the nicest looking girls I’ve +seen for a long time. Ever so much nicer than +Maud Warren,” exclaimed Marian.</p> + +<p>“Hold your tongue,” commanded her mother +angrily. “Don’t let me hear any more remarks +of that kind, or you’ll have cause to regret +them.”</p> + +<p>Marian relapsed into sulky silence. She +knew her mother only too well. Nevertheless +she made up her mind to try honestly to make +a good impression upon the first girls with +whom she had ever wished to be friends.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart and Mr. Warren did not at once +follow their respective charges in to luncheon, +but sat down on a wide settee in one corner of +the piazza for a long talk. One topic of conversation +followed another, until at last Mr. +Warren lowered his voice and said:</p> + +<p>“Stuart, I am going to ask a favor of you +because I need your help more than I can say. +You see,” he went on, his face flushing painfully +with embarrassment, “I have tried to give +my daughter the proper sort of care. I have +certainly spared no money in the effort. But +what can money, alone, do for a motherless +girl?” His voice choked a little. “Perhaps +I should have married again, if only on Maud’s +account. But I tell you, Bob, I couldn’t. My +wife’s memory is still too dear to me. No +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span> +other woman has ever interested me.” He +paused a moment, then looked away, while Mr. +Stuart patted his shoulder sympathetically.</p> + +<p>“And now,” went on poor Mr. Warren, +shaking his head sadly, “my girl has fallen in +with a lot of society people who are doing her +more harm than good—for instance, these people +you have just seen are among the number. +You wonder, perhaps, why I don’t like the De +Lancey Smythes. No one can deny that they +make a good appearance but there’s something +about the mother that I distrust. She’s not +genuine, and although she tries to conceal it +she’s not well-bred. Maud won’t believe it, and +can’t be made to see it. But I can. Now I believe, +if she goes about with your four nice, +wholesome girls and a fine woman like Miss Stuart, +she’ll open her eyes a trifle. And I want +to ask you, old man, to stand by me and help +me out. Ask your girls to help me save my +girl from her own foolishness and the influence +of just such people as these De Lancey Smythes. +Will you help me Stuart, for ‘auld lang syne’?”</p> + +<p>“Why of course I will, Tom,” replied good-natured +Mr. Stuart warmly, grasping Mr. Warren’s +hand. “I’ll tell my sister, Sallie, too. +She’ll know just what to do with Maud.”</p> + +<p>“But you understand, Bob, we shall be +obliged to go at this business tactfully,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span> +protested poor Mr. Warren. “I am afraid my +daughter is a difficult proposition at times, poor +child. But she’ll come through all right. She +is only nineteen. There’s a lot of time yet.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Sallie will manage. Trust Maud to her, +my friend. And now, let’s go in to luncheon,” +returned Mr. Stuart.</p> + +<p>At luncheon, Mr. Stuart repeated his conversation +with Mr. Warren to Miss Sallie and the +“Automobile Girls.”</p> + +<p>“I am afraid Maud will be exceedingly difficult +to manage,” Miss Sallie demurred. “She +is a law unto herself. As for those De Lancey +Smythes, I shall endeavor to find out something +about their social position.” Miss Sallie +looked about her with the air of a duchess. +“But, since you have given your promise to +your friend, we will do what we can for Maud.”</p> + +<p>The girls also promised their aid. And so, +for the time being, the matter was settled.</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chII'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER II</p> +<p class='cln1'>A WEST INDIAN SQUALL</p> +</div> + + +<p>By half past two that afternoon Mr. Warren’s +launch with its party of pleasure +seekers was well under way.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” had gathered in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> +one end, and were enthusiastically commenting +on the beauty of the scenery. Miss Sallie had +been conscientiously trying to cultivate Maud +Warren, and rather than antagonize her in the +beginning had exerted herself to be agreeable +to the De Lancey Smythes. Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe, however, had other views afoot than +the cultivation of Miss Sallie, and had immediately +engaged in conversation with Mr. Stuart. +Hardly had the launch put out from shore, before +she beckoned him to one side of the little +deck, and complacently kept him there until +Ruth, far from pleased with this turn of affairs, +called to her father to join them. But +Mrs. De Lancey Smythe proved equal to the occasion, +for rising gracefully, she calmly strolled +by Mr. Stuart’s side to the end of the launch +where the four girls were seated. Here they +were joined by Miss Sallie, who had been watching +the manœuvres of the other woman with +well-veiled contempt, and the conversation became +general.</p> + +<p>“Do you know many people here, Mrs. +Smythe?” asked Miss Sallie, turning to the +other woman.</p> + +<p>“Only a few,” replied Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe indifferently. “Most of the people I +know have been abroad all winter. Many of +my dearest friends are among the peerage. Two +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span> +people I know well, arrived to-day, however. +The young Count de Sonde and his friend, Monsieur +Duval.”</p> + +<p>She pronounced the two names with a faultless +accent that was not lost upon the practised +ears of Ruth, who had spoken French fluently +since she was a child and had had a French +nursery governess for years. Whatever were +her shortcomings, Mrs. De Lancey Smythe could +at least speak French.</p> + +<p>“A real count!” exclaimed Mollie. “How interesting!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, we know lots of titled people,” Marian +interposed. “There were two countesses and +a marquis at our hotel in Newport last summer.”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t all this lovely?” cried Barbara. She +was not interested in counts and titles. She +was keenly alive to the beauty of the scenery +about them. “I can’t decide which out-blues +the other, the lake or the sky.”</p> + +<p>“But aren’t there a great many clouds in the +sky?” questioned Ruth. “See how they have +piled up over there? Do you suppose, by any +chance, that we shall have rain? We were told +that it never rained down here. It simply isn’t +tolerated.”</p> + +<p>The launch was now running far out from +the shore, which was lined with pretty villas, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span> +set here and there in the midst of cocoanut +palms and oleander trees. Following the boat’s +path of rippling waves came another launch +much smaller than Mr. Warren’s. It was +manned by two men who had apparently not +observed them. The men were deep in earnest +conversation.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Marian, there is the Count de Sonde +with his friend!” exclaimed her mother. “How +fortunate that we should run across them, just +now.”</p> + +<p>“Which one is the count?” asked Maud Warren. +She had taken very little interest in anything +before. “I hope he is not the older +man.”</p> + +<p>“No; he is the slender, dark-haired one,” returned +Mrs. Smythe. “He is dressed in white.”</p> + +<p>In the meantime Mr. Stuart had changed his +seat. He had come to Palm Beach to enjoy his +four “Automobile Girls.” No fascinating +widow should swerve him from his original +plans. Like most hard-working successful men +he loved a holiday like a schoolboy and resented +deeply any interference with his pleasure.</p> + +<p>“Are my girls having a good time?” he +queried, smiling into four charming faces.</p> + +<p>“Yes, indeed!” exclaimed four voices in +chorus.</p> + +<p>“We thought the scenery beautiful in the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span> +Berkshires and along the Hudson river, Mr. +Stuart. But this is the most beautiful of all!” +cried Mollie, clasping her small hands ecstatically.</p> + +<p>“Do you suppose people ever really work +here?” inquired Grace. “It is like fairy land. +Everything happens by magic.”</p> + +<p>“You are right, Grace. This is a land of +pleasure,” returned Mr. Stuart. “The only +people who work are the employés in the hotels +and the servants in the cottages.”</p> + +<p>“Palm Beach is dedicated to pleasure,” explained +Ruth, “because it was by accident that +it came to be here at all. So it can just as well +be spared for an earthly paradise.”</p> + +<p>“Why is Palm Beach an accident?” queried +Mollie.</p> + +<p>“Years ago this was just a wild, desolate +coast,” Ruth went on. “Even now the wilderness +is only a mile away. There was a wreck +out there, somewhere, on the other side of the +peninsula,” she pointed toward the ocean. “A +ship was loaded with cocoanuts, which were +washed ashore. By and by the cocoanuts +sprouted and grew into tall palm trees. So +this barren shore was transformed into one of +the most beautiful palm groves in the world.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart pinched his daughter’s cheek. +“You’ve been stealing a march on us, Mistress +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span> +Ruth,” he said. “You have been reading a +guide book.”</p> + +<p>Just then a shadow clouded the brilliant sunshine. +The engineer of the launch glanced up +uneasily.</p> + +<p>“You don’t think it is going to rain, do you?” +asked Mr. Warren.</p> + +<p>“It would be a very unusual thing if it did, +sir,” replied the man, without committing himself.</p> + +<p>A fresh wind had come up, bearing with it +the fragrance of many flowers. It seemed to +have blown over miles of lily beds and orange +groves. Barbara closed her eyes as she +breathed in the warm, scented air. “How easy +to forget all responsibilities, in an enchanted +place like this!” she thought. “How easy just +to drift along.”</p> + +<p>“Papa, do tell the man to turn back,” said +Maud in a voice that broke unpleasantly into +Bab’s reflections. “It’s getting a little chilly. +And besides, we must have tea this afternoon +in the cocoanut grove.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, my dear,” replied her father, +turning to give his order to the engineer.</p> + +<p>The launch swung around. Immediately the +whole party spied another boat bobbing helplessly +on the water. One of the men in it was +leaning over examining the machinery of the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span> +frail craft. The other one, in white, stood at +the side of the boat, scanning the water.</p> + +<p>No other launches were in sight. The many +pleasure boats which had dotted the lake with +flecks of white, only a few minutes before, had +now put in to shore. A black cloud had spread +itself over the whole sky, casting a dark and +ominous shadow over the lake.</p> + +<p>As all the world knows—at least the part of +the world which lives on pleasure waters—a +strict etiquette prevails among these small +boats. One boat always helps another in distress.</p> + +<p>The engineer of Mr. Warren’s launch did not +wait for orders. He turned at once toward the +drifting craft.</p> + +<p>“Is your engine broken?” he asked, as the +boats touched sides.</p> + +<p>The young man in white was the Count de +Sonde himself. He looked decidedly relieved +at the appearance of the rescuers. He removed +his Panama hat with a flourish and bowed +low to the women. The other man answered the +boatman.</p> + +<p>“We are quite helpless, you see,” the count +ejaculated, shrugging his shoulders and raising +his eyebrows at the same time. “My friend +can do nothing.”</p> + +<p>In the meantime the friend had arisen from +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span> +the engine. He was examining the boatload of +people with guarded interest.</p> + +<p>“How do you do, Count? How are you, Monsieur +Duval?” called Mrs. De Lancey Smythe.</p> + +<p>It was not a time for conventional introductions. +The boatman made a line fast from the +small craft to the larger one. He meant to tow +the smaller launch toward home.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. De Lancey Smythe persisted. Mr. +Warren and his friends must meet the Count +de Sonde and Monsieur Duval.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the heavens were shaken by a terrific +clap of thunder.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Smythe gave a little scream. “I am +always frightened during a storm,” she +averred. “Mr. Stuart, would it be too much to +ask you to assist me into the cabin?”</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie glanced rather contemptuously at +the other woman, and wondered if her fright +were real. Mr. Stuart rose and courteously assisted +Mrs. De Lancey Smythe into the tiny +cabin, just as a driving sheet of rain bore down +upon them.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” crouched in the centre +of the boat. Maud and Marian followed +Mrs. Smythe.</p> + +<p>“Make for the nearest boathouse!” called Mr. +Warren to his engineer. “We can’t get back to +the hotel in such a storm as this.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span> +</p> + +<p>The storm now burst in all its West Indian +fury. The waters were churned into foam. +The wind whistled and roared. The two small +boats tossed about on the water like chips.</p> + +<p>“We are just in time!” exclaimed Mr. Warren, +as they at last reached the boathouse. “In +another five minutes I believe we should have +been swamped.” He helped the women from +the boat to the pier.</p> + +<p>“What an escape!” gasped Mrs. Smythe. +“Marian, my darling, are you all right?”</p> + +<p>“Perfectly, Mama,” replied her daughter +rather scornfully. It was plain to the four +“Automobile Girls” that Marian did not entirely +approve of her mother’s display of fear, +and the tone in which she had answered told +its own story.</p> + +<p>The little company sought the shelter of the +boathouse. The two foreigners went with them. +In one of the men, Bab recognized the stranger +she had noticed that morning on the hotel +piazza. Mrs. De Lancey Smythe introduced +him as Monsieur Duval.</p> + +<p>“We were very lucky to have met you, sir,” +Mr. Duval said to Mr. Stuart. Bab noticed +that he spoke very good English, with only a +slight foreign accent. “I am afraid our boat +would have sunk if you had not come to our +rescue.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span> +</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart bowed politely, but coldly. He +was wondering if his girls and Miss Sallie +would have bad colds from their wetting. They +were standing apart from the others, laughing +at their plight.</p> + +<p>The young Count de Sonde had joined Marian +and her mother, as soon as he entered the boathouse, +but Maud was with them. It was upon +Maud that the count immediately bestowed his +attention. He smiled upon her, until Maud’s +foolish head began to flutter. Just think of +capturing the attentions of a real count so +quickly! Mr. Warren saw his daughter’s delight +and frowned slightly. Maud must not get +any foolish ideas about foreigners in her head. +He would put an end to that nonsense. He was +about to stride over and take charge of affairs +when a man servant in plain livery appeared +on the path near the boathouse door. He had +come from the pretty villa, which was only a +hundred yards back from the boathouse, set in +a thick grove of palms. The man carried a +large bundle of wraps and umbrellas. He +paused respectfully when he reached the steps +leading to the pavilion.</p> + +<p>“My lady would be glad if you would seek +shelter from the storm in her house,” he said +in broken English to Mr. Warren.</p> + +<p>It was great fun to scamper through the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> +pouring rain to the pretty villa. The foreign +coats and capes kept everyone dry. Now that +they were on land Mr. Warren’s boat party had +begun to regard their adventure somewhat +lightly.</p> + +<p>Once on the porch of the villa they were +ushered into a large, low-ceilinged room at one +end of which a fire of pine knots was burning +brightly. The room was empty. The newcomers +clustered about the blaze to dry their +soaked shoes.</p> + +<p>The room held very little furniture. Yet it +appeared to Bab as one of the most beautiful +rooms she had ever seen. A grand piano stood +at one end, and a few graceful wicker chairs +were scattered about the apartment. The room +had an indescribable look of elegance. Was it +the bare highly polished floor, with only the +Persian rug to break its shining surface? Or +was it the enormous bunch of daffodils in a cut +glass bowl on the table that lent the place its +charm? Bab did not know. On the mantelpiece +between two tall brass candle-sticks stood +a beautiful marble bust. Barbara afterwards +learned that it was known as “The Head of an +Unknown Lady.”</p> + +<p>A handsome leather writing-case lay open on +the table. It displayed on the inner side a large +crest picked out in dull gold. The firelight +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> +shone on the gold outlines and threw them into +dull relief.</p> + +<p>Bab saw the Frenchman, Monsieur Duval, +walk over to this table. He examined the crest +intently for a moment, then turned away.</p> + +<p>At this instant two women came in through +the open door. The one, who was quite old, +supported herself with a gold-headed mahogany +cane. The other was young and very beautiful.</p> + +<p>The older woman was rather terrifying in +aspect. She had a hooked nose and her bright, +beady little eyes regarded the company with a +look of amused tolerance.</p> + +<p>The younger woman came forward to meet +her unknown guests without the slightest embarrassment +or affectation. The “Automobile +Girls” held their breath. Surely she was the +most exquisite creature they had ever beheld.</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chIII'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER III</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE FAIR UNKNOWN</p> +</div> + + +<p>“I am afraid you must be very cold and +wet,” the young woman said, in a clear +sweet voice, with an accent that the girls +had never heard before. She was graceful +with an elegance of manner that to imaginative +Bab seemed almost regal. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span> +</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart went forward. “It is most kind +and hospitable of you to take us in like this,” +he declared. “We would certainly have been +very uncomfortable if we had stayed in the boathouse +for such a length of time. We are deeply +grateful to you.”</p> + +<p>“Do sit down,” the young woman answered. +“And won’t you have some tea? It may warm +you.” She pressed an electric bell in the wall. +A man servant appeared, and she gave him her +orders in German.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” clustered together +in the window seat. Their unknown hostess +sank into a low chair near them. Miss Sallie +and Mrs. De Lancey Smythe were left to the +mercy of the old lady with the beaked nose. +Maud and the count withdrew to one corner of +the room, where they chatted softly, the latter +bent on displaying all his powers of fascination.</p> + +<p>“Are these your four daughters?” asked the +young mistress of the villa, turning to Mr. Stuart, +after a friendly glance at the “Automobile +Girls.”</p> + +<p>“No,” Mr. Stuart replied, laughing and shaking +his head. “I am sorry to say I can boast +of only one daughter. The three other girls +are her friends. But they are all my girls. At +least I call them my ‘Automobile Girls’!”</p> + +<p>“Ah,” replied the young woman apparently +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span> +puzzled. “How is it that you call them the +‘Automobile Girls’? Do young girls run motor +cars in your country? Their independence is +quite wonderful, I think.”</p> + +<p>“Ruth is our chauffeur,” explained Bab, who +was looking closely at the beautiful face of her +hostess. The latter’s dark brown hair was arranged +in a braid and wound about her head +like a coronet but it broke into little soft curls +around her face. She had a small straight nose +and the curve of her red lips was perfect. The +coutour of her face was oval and her large dark +eyes were touched with an undefinable sadness. +She was tall and slender, and she wore a plain, +white woolen frock that emphasized the lines +of her graceful figure. The simplicity of her +costume was not marred by a single ornament. +Even her long, slender fingers were bare of +rings.</p> + +<p>She turned to pretty Mollie, taking one of +her small hands in her own cool fingers. “Do +these little hands also run a motor car?” the +hostess asked.</p> + +<p>Mollie looked long into the beautiful face. +Somehow its hidden sadness touched her. Mollie’s +blue eyes filled with tears. She felt +strangely timid.</p> + +<p>“Why, you must not be afraid of me, dear +one,” said the young woman. She gazed into +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span> +Mollie’s blue eyes appealingly, and softly +pressed her hand. “I’m a girl like yourself, +only I am much older. But I love younger girls +very dearly. You must let me be your friend.” +To the amazement of the other girls this exquisite +stranger bent over and kissed Mollie on +the lips.</p> + +<p>“I should be very happy to have you for my +friend,” returned Mollie, a smile quivering +through her tears. “And I wasn’t the least bit +frightened. I think perhaps it was the storm +that made me so silly. Bab sometimes calls me +a cry baby.”</p> + +<p>“Which one of you is Bab? And what a +pretty name that is!” exclaimed the young +hostess.</p> + +<p>Barbara stepped forward with a friendly +smile. Mr. Stuart then presented Grace and +Ruth.</p> + +<p>But still their new friend did not reveal her +identity.</p> + +<p>She was a foreigner. There was no doubt of +that. She had spoken in German to her servant. +Perhaps she was German? She confessed +that this was her first visit to America. +The climate of New York had driven her south. +Yet she did not mention her name or her country.</p> + +<p>Presently the man servant returned to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span> +room carrying a tea service. He was followed +by a comely German maid, who carried a tray +laden with buttered toast and a large dish of +German cookies.</p> + +<p>The man lit the candles and a lamp covered +with a yellow shade.</p> + +<p>A soft, mellow glow pervaded the beautiful +room. There was a pleasant silence and all +eyes were turned to their lovely young hostess, +whose slender white hands busied themselves +with the tea things.</p> + +<p>“A friendly cup of tea on a day like this, +makes the whole world kin,” she said, smiling +brightly at her guests. “It banishes sad +thoughts and one grows cheerful, even though +the weather behaves itself so badly.”</p> + +<p>“We have a proverb,” laughed Ruth, “that +says ‘it’s an ill wind that blows no one good.’ +We should really thank the weather for misbehaving.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, that is broad flattery,” cried their +hostess with a silvery laugh. “But oh so +charming.”</p> + +<p>“Do you not find it dull staying at an out-of-the-way +place like this?” broke in Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe, looking about her with a patronizing +air. “I am quite sure I have never seen +you at the Beach.”</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” exchanged lightning +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span> +glances. Mrs. Smythe’s abrupt remark jarred +upon them, and simultaneously it occurred to +them that she was distinctly underbred.</p> + +<p>Marian’s face flushed, and she bit her lip. +“I think this quiet place must be enchanting,” +she said almost defiantly. “I hate hotels.”</p> + +<p>“Really, Marian,” said her mother coldly. +“Your opinion has not been solicited.”</p> + +<p>“They’re going to quarrel,” thought Barbara. +“How disagreeable that woman is. She +is so snippy, and calculating and deceitful. I +rather like Marian, though.”</p> + +<p>But their hostess averted any domestic altercation +by saying sweetly. “I am indeed a +stranger, here, but I came for rest and quiet, +therefore I have little desire to frequent the +Beach or its hotels.”</p> + +<p>“Quite true,” responded Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe, and hastily turning her attention to +the imposing looking old woman with the gold +headed cane she said, “You are German, I +presume.”</p> + +<p>“Why German?” replied the old lady, observing +her questioner with a dangerous glitter +in her small black eyes.</p> + +<p>Mrs. De Lancey Smythe showed signs of confusion.</p> + +<p>“I thought you were Germans because you +spoke German to your servant,” she said, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span> +trying to look haughty and thus carry off what +promised to be an unpleasant situation.</p> + +<p>“Ah, yes,” returned her antagonist. “But +does it follow that one is of the same country +as one’s servants? We have also employed +both French and English maids.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. De Lancey Smythe did not deem it wise +to continue the conversation. She therefore +turned her attention to Mr. Duval who had been +listening to the conversation with a curious smile +on his clever face.</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie was delighted with the strange +old woman. Her abruptness was amusing. +Miss Stuart began discussing a number of current +topics with her in an impersonal, well-bred +manner, neither woman showing the slightest +curiosity about the other’s personal affairs.</p> + +<p>“Count de Sonde!” called Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe suddenly.</p> + +<p>There was an immediate lull in the conversation.</p> + +<p>The young mistress of the villa stared at the +“Automobile Girls.” Her face turned pale. +She leaned back in her chair. “Count de +Sonde!” she whispered to herself.</p> + +<p>Mollie was at her new friend’s side in an instant. +“I am afraid you are ill,” she suggested. +“Can I do anything for you?”</p> + +<p>“No, no, dear child,” replied the other. “It +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span> +was only a momentary faintness. But did I +not hear some one call the Count de Sonde? +Is he here?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes,” returned Mollie politely. “He is +that young man in white, who is now talking +with Mrs. De Lancey Smythe.”</p> + +<p>Her hostess turned quickly. She looked a +long time at the young count. “Who is the +other man near him?” she next asked.</p> + +<p>Mollie was again her informant. “He is a +Mr. Duval,” she explained. “He and the Count +de Sonde are at the same hotel together.”</p> + +<p>At this moment, Maud Warren, who had +noted her father’s displeased look, decided to +join the “Automobile Girls,” who were grouped +around their hostess.</p> + +<p>“Do you know,” she said with an air of triumph, +“the Count de Sonde has invited Papa +and me and the De Lancey Smythes to visit him +at his chateau in France next summer?”</p> + +<p>The tea-cup of their hostess crashed to the +floor. It broke into small pieces.</p> + +<p>“Don’t trouble to pick up the pieces,” she +protested to Mr. Stuart. “Johann will do it. +I am very careless. So you expect to visit +France next summer?” she continued, turning +her attention to Maud.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Papa and I shall go,” Maud replied. +“It would be quite novel to visit a chateau.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span> +</p> + +<p>“Delightful. But where is the chateau of the +De Sonde family?” inquired the other young +woman.</p> + +<p>Maud hesitated. “I am not sure that I +know,” she replied. “I believe the count said +it was in Brittany. The count’s family is one +of the oldest in France.”</p> + +<p>“I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting +the count,” suggested Maud’s hostess. “Perhaps +you will present him to me.”</p> + +<p>In a few moments the young count was leaning +gracefully against the mantelpiece. He +was talking with the beautiful stranger, whose +name was still withheld from her visitors. A +little later Monsieur Duval joined them.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I hasten to assure you, it is quite, +quite old,” the count explained. He was talking +of his family in Brittany.</p> + +<p>“How far back does your family go?” went +on his unknown questioner.</p> + +<p>The count cleared his throat and choked over +his fresh cup of tea.</p> + +<p>“My friend’s family goes back to the eleventh +century,” answered Duval quietly. The count +was still coughing violently.</p> + +<p>“And you are the last of your line?” continued +his hostess. She was addressing the +count. “It is a pity for such an illustrious race +to die out. I suppose you will marry?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span> +</p> + +<p>She looked at the young man with such grave +sweetness that he smiled uneasily and shifted +his gaze.</p> + +<p>“I hope to marry some day, Mademoiselle,” +he mumbled.</p> + +<p>“You have some very old families in +Germany also, have you not?” inquired Monsieur +Duval, looking searchingly at the young +woman.</p> + +<p>Did she pause a moment before she answered? +Bab and Ruth both thought so.</p> + +<p>“In what European country are there not +old families, Monsieur?” she replied courteously. +“In Italy the old families trace their +lineage to the gods of mythology. But I am +interested in a young country like this America.”</p> + +<p>“Then you should go to Chicago, if you wish +to see a really American city,” cried Ruth. “Of +course, Aunt Sallie and Father and I think our +Chicago is greater than New York, because it +is our home.”</p> + +<p>“De Lancey Hall, in Virginia, is my family +home,” drawled Mrs. De Lancey Smythe, with +a little insolent air of pride. “The De Lanceys +were a titled French family before they came +to this country.”</p> + +<p>“How very interesting!” exclaimed the +youthful hostess, in an enigmatic tone. “Do +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span> +people drop their titles in this great free country +of yours? It is much better, I think. Titles +mean but little anywhere.” She ended her +words with a little, serious frown.</p> + +<p>“The best heritage that I can lay claim to is +that of being an American,” exclaimed Ruth, +with enthusiasm. “America for the Americans! +Three cheers for the red, white and +blue!”</p> + +<p>“You are a true patriot. Is it not so?” +laughed the hostess, patting Ruth’s shoulder. +“Your great free country is so wonderful. Its +liberty is boundless.” She sighed, and for a +moment seemed wrapped in thought. Then +turning to Mr. Stuart and Mr. Warren asked +if they would have more tea.</p> + +<p>“No thank you,” replied Mr. Stuart. “In +fact I believe we had better begin to think about +getting back to our hotel. The rain has stopped, +and we need trespass upon your hospitality no +further.”</p> + +<p>“It has been a pleasure to meet you and +your ‘Automobile Girls,’” the young woman +replied. Then she added very softly so that +Mr. Stuart and Mollie who stood with her hand +clasped in that of the stranger, alone, heard: +“Won’t you bring them to see me in the near +future?”</p> + +<p>“Oh how lovely!” breathed Mollie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span> +</p> + +<p>“We shall be very happy, indeed to come,” +Mr. Stuart replied.</p> + +<p>“I thank you for your charming hospitality, +Mademoiselle,” broke in the suave tones of Mr. +Duval, who with the count at his heels had +stepped unnoticed to the young woman’s side. +“Am I presumptuous in venturing to ask if it +is your pleasure that we should know to whom +we are indebted?”</p> + +<p>“Ah to be sure. I have been what you call, +very stupid,” laughed the unknown. “Pray +pardon me.” Gliding over to the side of the +stern old woman, she took her hand. “Permit +me to present my very dear friend, Madame de +Villiers. I am the Countess Sophia von Stolberg.”</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chIV'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER IV</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE COMPACT</p> +</div> + + +<p>“Girls!” exclaimed Ruth, who lay curled +up on the foot of her bed in a pale +blue silk kimono. “I feel like offering +a libation to the Storm King to-night for +sending us that squall.”</p> + +<p>“Why?” inquired Grace, who was not gifted +with an Oriental imagination.</p> + +<p>“Because, if there had been no storm, there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span> +would have been no Countess Sophia,” replied +her friend.</p> + +<p>“She is hard to understand, but she is so +beautiful, so gentle and so noble,” observed +Barbara.</p> + +<p>“And she kissed me!” cried Mollie.</p> + +<p>“As, yes, Mollie darling, she had a fearful +crush on you,” laughed Ruth. “We are already +green with jealousy. It’s those golden baby curls +of yours that do the business, I suppose. First, +it was the lovely Mrs. Cartwright you won from +us at Newport. Now your cerulean eyes have +hypnotized the Countess Sophia. What shall +we do to her, girls?”</p> + +<p>“Destroy her beauty!” cried Barbara. “Cut +off her curls and give her two black eyes.”</p> + +<p>The three girls pounced on Mollie. There +was a real tom-boy romp which ended in a burst +of joyous laughter. For Miss Sallie’s familiar +rap-tap was heard on the door. Her voice was +raised in mild protest:</p> + +<p>“Children, remember that this is a hotel.”</p> + +<p>The girls subsided.</p> + +<p>“Do you suppose it would be good form to call +on the countess to-morrow, when we met her +only this afternoon?” asked Ruth, as soon as +she had regained her breath.</p> + +<p>“It would be rather rushing things,” answered +Barbara. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span> +</p> + +<p>“If you will be good, and promise not to lay +violent hands on me again, I will tell you something,” +Mollie volunteered.</p> + +<p>“We promise,” cried three voices in unison.</p> + +<p>“The countess is going to ask us to luncheon +to-morrow. She whispered it to me just before +we left her villa this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, joy!” exclaimed Ruth. “Do you mean +that she intends to invite the entire party—the +De Lancey Smythes and all that aggregation?”</p> + +<p>“No,” Mollie declared, answering Ruth’s +previous question. “The countess intends to +invite only Miss Sallie, Mr. Stuart and the ‘Automobile +Girls.’”</p> + +<p>“But what are we to do about Maud Warren?” +queried Ruth. “Father has promised +Mr. Warren we would help him out with Maud. +Here we are already trying to shake her off. If +we are going to see a great deal of the countess, +how shall we manage? I am sure the stern old +dowager would never endure Maud’s grown up +manner for a moment. And Maud won’t give +up those De Lancey Smythes.”</p> + +<p>“I think it would be a good idea to take the +Countess Sophia into our confidence, if we have +an opportunity,” suggested Barbara. “It +would not be a betrayal of trust. Because what +we wish to accomplish is to persuade Maud +Warren to see the difference between really +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span> +well-bred people like the countess and those +who pretend to be. I think the Smythes are +pretenders, the mother at least. She seems to +be continually on the alert. I watched her yesterday, +and that high and mighty air that she +assumes is a cloak to hide her real character. +It seems to me that she and that Duval man +have some sort of secret understanding. I +think——” Barbara paused.</p> + +<p>“Well, Sherlock, what do you think?” queried +Ruth impertinently. “And when you unearth +her family skeleton may I go along and play +Doctor Watson?”</p> + +<p>“How ridiculous you are, Ruth,” returned +Barbara, laughing. “I suppose I deserve to be +teased. I’m always suspecting people’s motives. +But really I do believe that that Mrs. +Smythe has a hurtful influence over Maud. Mr. +Warren doesn’t like to have Maud with her, +either. You heard the way he spoke this morning.”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” exclaimed Ruth. “We also heard +Miss Maud defy him. She is dreadfully spoiled, +and we shall be obliged to handle her very carefully. +If she even suspects we are trying to +reform her, she will shun our beneficial society +as she would the plague.”</p> + +<p>“I believe I could bear that misfortune,” +sighed Mollie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span> +</p> + +<p>But Barbara was serious. “I am truly sorry +for Maud Warren,” she declared. “I think she +is just like a blind person. She can’t see anything +that is good and true. She thinks of nothing +but money, titles and sham society. I don’t +see how we can do her any good.”</p> + +<p>“Well, her father thinks we can,” Grace +added. “He told me on our way back from the +launch party, that he hoped we would be friends +with Maud, for she needed the companionship +of sensible girls. He said that he hoped she +would take more interest in outdoor sports, and +drop some of the newfangled society ideas she +has adopted.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you a secret,” said Barbara slowly. +“I think that Maud was impressed with the +Count de Sonde, or rather his title.”</p> + +<p>“And the count seemed to be equally impressed +with Maud,” interposed Ruth. “I believe +he is one of those foreigners with no +money, and plenty of title that one reads about +in the Sunday papers.”</p> + +<p>“Some of them don’t have even the title,” +said Mollie with a worldly air that contrasted +oddly with her baby face. “They are just waiters +who pretend that they are real counts.”</p> + +<p>“Hear, hear,” cried Ruth, “Mollie the +worldly wise is holding forth!”</p> + +<p>“Well, you needn’t make fun of me, Ruth,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span> +said Mollie stoutly. “It’s all true. I read about +one last week who married a rich American +girl. She fell in love with his title. After she +had married him she found out that his name +was Jean, something or other, that he had been +a waiter, and was wanted by the police for +forgery. Just think girls how dreadfully she +must have felt!”</p> + +<p>“I should say so,” averred Grace, who always +championed Mollie’s cause.</p> + +<p>“What’s your opinion of the Count de Sonde, +Barbara?” asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>“He didn’t impress me favorably,” replied +Bab. “He’s too artificial, and too conceited. +He reminds me of a comic opera Frenchman. +He looks as though he were ready to run about +on his toes and shrug his shoulders at the slightest +pretext.”</p> + +<p>“That exactly describes him,” Ruth agreed. +“I imagine him trilling a silly French song:</p> + +<div> +<p style='margin:0 auto 0 4ex'>“‘Bonjour, mesdames! bonjour, messieurs!</p> +<p style='margin:0 auto 0 4ex'>Je suis le Comte de Sonde!’”</p> +</div> + +<p>Ruth bowed low, first to Mollie and then to +Grace. She shrugged her dainty shoulders in +a perfect imitation of the count.</p> + +<p>“But what about Monsieur Duval?” queried +Mollie. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span> +</p> + +<p>“He’s the backbone of the little count,” said +Barbara. “He’s the brains and strength of the +company. If there is any little game to be +played at Palm Beach—look out for Mr. Duval!”</p> + +<p>“But do you suppose they really have a game +to play?” persisted Ruth.</p> + +<p>Bab shook her head. “I don’t know. I suppose +I am only joking,” she answered. “But +did you notice how often Mr. Duval came to the +count’s rescue? He helped him out of a number +of tight places. Of course it is ridiculous +to suppose those men have any scheme afoot. +They are certainly not thieves, like Harry Townsend +at Newport. I wonder what they are +after?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, nothing, Bab. You are too mysterious,” +protested Mollie. “I thought we were talking +about Maud Warren and how we could best +make friends with her.”</p> + +<p>“Girls, let’s enter into a solemn compact,” +Ruth suggested, lowering her voice to a whisper +in order to persuade the other girls to listen.</p> + +<p>“What kind of compact, child?” Bab demanded.</p> + +<p>“A compact to do our best for Maud Warren,” +said conscientious Ruth. “I tell you, +girls, it won’t be easy, for Maud isn’t our kind. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span> +And you know how we like to keep together and +don’t care much for any outside girl. I know +we shall have to make a good many sacrifices. +But Maud must not run around with the +Smythes and that little French count all the +time. Let’s make a compact to do our best for +Maud. Come, join hands.”</p> + +<p>The four girls clasped hands. They could not +foresee into what difficulties this compact +would lead them.</p> + +<p>Tap! tap! Miss Sallie knocked again at the +door.</p> + +<p>“Go to bed at once; it is very late,” she ordered.</p> + +<p>Ruth dreamed that night that the four girls +were sitting in a circle with the Countess Sophia +von Stolberg. They had hold of one another’s +hands. They were repeating their vow +about Maud. Suddenly they were interrupted. +Monsieur Duval appeared in their midst. The +Countess Sophia saw the Frenchman. She gave +a cry of terror and fainted.</p> + +<p>Ruth awakened with a start. The night was +still. The moon shone brightly through the +open windows and the air was filled with the +perfume of magnolia blossoms.</p> + +<p>“I wonder what the Countess Sophia’s history +is?” thought Ruth sleepily, as she dropped +into slumber once more. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span> +</p> + +<p>At her villa, looking across the moonlit lake, +the beautiful young countess was at that moment +writing a letter. It was a long letter, +penned in close fine handwriting. When she had +finished she slipped the letter into an envelope, +which she addressed carefully to “M. Le Comte +Frederic de Sonde.”</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chV'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER V</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE DAUGHTER OF MRS. DE LANCEY SMYTHE</p> +</div> + + +<p>Breakfast was hardly over next morning +before a note on thin foreign paper +was handed to Miss Sallie Stuart. She +read it aloud: it asked for the pleasure of their +company at luncheon. It was signed “Sophia +von Stolberg.” The messenger would wait for +the answer. Mr. Stuart was included in the invitation.</p> + +<p>“There’s only one answer to that note,” +laughed Mr. Stuart, scanning the four eager +faces of the “Automobile Girls.” “Shall I +translate your expressions into a single word? +It is ‘yes,’ my hearties.”</p> + +<p>“Did you think they would fail to accept?” +teased Miss Sallie. “Look at the foolish young +things! They have all fallen in love with the +countess at first sight, and can hardly wait for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> +one o’clock to arrive. But I will send our acceptance +at once, so as not to keep the man waiting.” +Miss Stuart hurried off to the writing +room of the hotel.</p> + +<p>So the girls were alone when they were joined +on the piazza by Mrs. De Lancey Smythe and +Marian.</p> + +<p>“Good morning, my dears,” said Mrs. De +Lancey Smythe, with an attempt at affability. +“Isn’t it delightful after the storm?”</p> + +<p>“Very,” answered Ruth, rather shortly.</p> + +<p>“Have you seen dear Maud and her father +this morning?” pursued Mrs. Smythe, ignoring +Ruth’s lack of cordiality.</p> + +<p>“No,” replied Ruth. “Have you?”</p> + +<p>“I saw them a few minutes ago, and they were +engaged in a family discussion,” replied the +older woman. “Such discussions are most disagreeable +to me. Marian and I never have +them. For some stupid reason, Mr. Warren is +opposed to his daughter’s receiving attentions +from the Count de Sonde. I have assured him +that I know the count well. He belongs to an +old and illustrious family. But tell me, what is +your opinion of the Countess Sophia von Stolberg? +Do you think she is an impostor?”</p> + +<p>“An impostor!” exclaimed Ruth indignantly. +“I think she is simply perfect. I never met any +one in my life who impressed me so much.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span> +</p> + +<p>“Beware, my dear, that your feelings do not +run away with you,” warned Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe with asperity. “I have heard rumors, +since I saw you last night. There are suspicious +circumstances connected with this countess. +She may very possibly be an impostor.”</p> + +<p>“Who told you such a dreadful falsehood?” +demanded Ruth. She was almost choking with +anger. But Barbara had joined her. Bab’s +firm fingers on Ruth’s arm warned her to be +careful.</p> + +<p>“The man who told me is in a position to +know the truth. He is a clever man of the +world, a foreigner himself,” replied Mrs. +Smythe triumphantly.</p> + +<p>“I am afraid I cannot credit his story,” replied +Ruth, with more composure. “I cannot +forget that we accepted the countess’s hospitality +yesterday and we are to have the pleasure +of accepting more of it to-day. My father and +Aunt Sallie, and we four girls, are to have +luncheon with the Countess von Stolberg and +Madame de Villiers.”</p> + +<p>Ruth drew Barbara’s arm through hers. They +moved away from Mrs. De Lancey Smythe.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. De Lancey Smythe had said her say +and left a sting, and she smiled maliciously as +the two girls walked away.</p> + +<p>“I can’t endure that woman, Barbara,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span> +exclaimed Ruth. “I’ll lose my head completely +if she attacks our beautiful countess again.”</p> + +<p>“She is too disagreeable to notice,” answered +Bab vehemently. “Here comes Maud Warren. +Shall we ask her to take a walk with us along +the Beach?”</p> + +<p>“I suppose so,” assented Ruth, whose enthusiasm +had somewhat cooled over night. “I +don’t want her. But we ought to be polite.”</p> + +<p>The two girls greeted Maud Warren cordially. +There was a discontented line across that +young woman’s brow, and an angry look in her +pale blue eyes.</p> + +<p>“I am looking for the count,” she declared +defiantly.</p> + +<p>The girls instinctively knew that Maud was +disobeying her father. Mr. Warren had just +finished lecturing Maud and had commanded +that she cut the count’s acquaintance.</p> + +<p>“I saw the count a few minutes ago. He was +starting off with his friend for a walk,” explained +Bab gently. “Won’t you take a stroll +on the beach with us, Maud? It is such a perfect +morning.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, do come, Maud,” begged Ruth, with a +charming, cordial smile. Ruth’s sweet nature +was again asserting itself.</p> + +<p>“Yes, do,” cried Mollie and Grace, who had +just joined the little group of girls. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span> +</p> + +<p>Maud’s face softened. “You are awfully +nice,” she said. Maud was a little taken aback +by so much friendliness. She had been spoiled +all her life, and had never had real friends +among young girls. People had thought her +disagreeable and overbearing, and she had held +herself aloof, displaying a degree of hauteur +that admitted of no friendship.</p> + +<p>“Let’s get our hats and go immediately. It +will soon be time to go in bathing,” suggested +Bab. Barbara never missed a swim if she +could help it.</p> + +<p>“All right, old water dog,” Ruth agreed. +“Meet us on the piazza looking toward the +ocean, Maud. We will be back in ten minutes.”</p> + +<p>The girls were back on the piazza at the appointed +time. Maud was there. But with her +were Marian De Lancey Smythe, and the Count +de Sonde.</p> + +<p>“What a nuisance!” exclaimed Ruth under +her breath. But there was nothing to be done; +therefore the girls decided to accept this undesired +addition to their number with the best +possible grace.</p> + +<p>The entire party started down the avenue of +palms toward the ocean.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” were thrilled with +the beauty of the great stretch of blue water. +Marian De Lancey Smythe, too, had a soul +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span> +stirring within her. It had been choked by the +false principles and ostentations that her +mother had taught her. But Marian was not +a stupid girl. Her wits had been sharpened +by years of managing and deceit. She had the +sense to see the difference between herself and +the four sweet, unaffected “Automobile Girls,” +and she knew the difference was in their favor.</p> + +<p>Under her fashionable exterior a really simple +heart beat in Marian’s bosom, and she was +filled with a wild desire to shake off her mother’s +despotic rule, and for once let her real self come +to the surface. As she strolled moodily along +beside Barbara she reflected bitterly that while +others had been given all, she had received +nothing.</p> + +<p>She contrasted the hand to mouth existence +that she and her mother led with the full, cheerful +life of the “Automobile Girls,” and a wave +of shame swept over her at the deceptions and +subterfuges that were second nature to her +mother, which she felt reasonably certain that +no really honest person would practise. Her +life was a sham and a mockery, and behind it +was the ever present fear that her mother would +some day overstep all bounds, and do something +to bring the crushing weight of the law +down upon them. There were so many things +that Marian did not understand. Her mother +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span> +never said more about her affairs than was absolutely +necessary. She only knew that they +were always poor, always struggling to appear +to be that which they were not. She had been +commanded to dissemble, to lie, to do without +a murmur, whatever her mother asked of her, +and her better self sometimes rose in a revolt +against her mother, that was almost hatred.</p> + +<p>As she walked gloomily along wrapped in her +own bitter reflections, she sighed deeply. Bab +who was walking with her glanced quickly at +Marian, then with one of her swift impulses, +she put out her hand and clasped that of the +other girl.</p> + +<p>“Are you unhappy, Marian?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“No,” replied Marian. But her emotions got +the better of her and she choked back her sobs +with an angry gulp. Then feeling the pressure +of Bab’s sympathetic hand she said +brokenly, “I mean, yes. At least, I don’t know +exactly what is the matter with me. I think +I am homesick—homesick for the things I have +never had, and never expect to have.”</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry,” said Bab, still holding Marian’s +hand, yet looking away, so she should not see +Marian’s rebellious tears. “But why do you +think you won’t have the things you want? If +you keep on wishing for a thing the wish is sure +to come true some day.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span> +</p> + +<p>Marian’s set face softened at these words. +“Do you really think that?” she asked. “Do +you suppose that things will ever be any different +for me? Oh, if you only knew how I hate +all this miserable pretense.”</p> + +<p>“Why, Marian!” exclaimed Bab. “What is +the matter? I had no idea you were so unhappy.”</p> + +<p>“Of course you hadn’t,” replied Marian. +“Because I never dare let any one know my real +feelings. I never have hated my life as I do +since I have known you girls. You are just +girls. That’s the beauty of it, and you have +folks who love you and want you to stay girls +and not ape grown up people all the time. I’d +like to wear my hair in one braid, and run and +romp and have a good time generally. Look at +me. I look as though I were twenty-two at +least, and I’m only seventeen. I have to wear +my hair on top of my head and pretend to be +something remarkable when I want to be just +a plain every day girl. It’s intolerable. I won’t +stand it any longer. I don’t see why I was ever +born.”</p> + +<p>“Poor Marian,” soothed Bab. “Don’t feel +so badly. It will all come right some day. Let +me be your friend. I believe I understand just +how you feel. Perhaps your mother may——”</p> + +<p>“Don’t speak of my mother!” ejaculated the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span> +girl passionately. “Sometimes I hate her. Do +you know, Barbara, I often wonder if she is +really my mother. Away back in my mind +there is the memory of another face. I don’t +know whether I have only dreamed it, or where +it came from, but I like to think of that sweet +face as belonging to my mother.”</p> + +<p>Bab looked at Marian in a rather startled +way. What a strange girl she was, to be sure. +Suppose Mrs. De Lancey Smythe were not her +mother. Suppose that Marian had been stolen +when a baby. Bab’s active brain immediately +began to spin a web of circumstances about +Marian Smythe.</p> + +<p>“Marian,” she began. But she never finished +for just then a piercing cry rang out.</p> + +<p>Nursemaids with children began running +along the sands. Another nurse had run out +into the water. She was wildly waving her arms +and pointing to a small object well out on the +waves. Barbara saw it for just an instant. +Then it disappeared. She and Marian both +recognized what it was. A child’s curly head +had risen to the surface of the water, and then +had sunk out of sight.</p> + +<p>Quick as a flash Barbara kicked off her white +canvas pumps and threw hat and linen coat on +the ground.</p> + +<p>Extending her hands before her, she ran out +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span> +into the water. Marian ran blindly after her. +The Count de Sonde was the only man near +that part of the beach. He was behaving in a +most remarkable manner. Entirely forgetful of +the blood of scores of noble ancestors that ran +in his veins, he had taken to his heels and his +small figure was seen flying up the beach away +from the water.</p> + +<p>However, Bab was not thinking of aid. She +made straight for the little head, which rose for +the second time above the waves.</p> + +<p>When Barbara reached the spot where she +had last seen the child’s head she dived beneath +the surface of the water.</p> + +<p>Marian thought that Barbara, too, had lost +her life. She began wringing her hands and +calling for help. In her excitement she had +waded to her neck in the water and was clinging +to the life rope. She did not know how to +swim, but she had a wild idea that she ought to +follow in Barbara’s lead, and now she clung to +the rope and anxiously watched Barbara’s +movements. Bab in the meantime, had dived +into deep water and was groping blindly for +the little figure. At last she seized the child by +the arm and with lungs bursting rose to the +top of the water, when suddenly she was struck +a fearful and unlooked for blow. She had not +reckoned with the life line and with the little +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span> +fellow in her arms had come in violent contact +with it. She reeled and would have gone under +but a hand grasped her firmly by the arm and +pulled her from under the treacherous rope. +She had just sense enough to hand the child +over to Marian Smythe and seize the rope herself. +Then she filled her exhausted lungs with +the fresh air.</p> + +<p>On the shore Grace and Mollie were running +up and down the sands imploring some one to +save Bab. Ruth wished to rush out into the +water. But she knew she could not reach the +two exhausted girls.</p> + +<p>As for the Count de Sonde, he was nowhere +to be seen, while Maud Warren stood on the +shore helplessly wringing her hands.</p> + +<p>In a short time the beach was crowded with +people. Marian and Bab had brought the little +boy in to his nurse. The hotel physician +soon took the nurse and the baby both away, +and the crowd followed them.</p> + +<p>Bab flung herself down in the warm sand. +Mollie, Ruth and Grace hung over her anxiously.</p> + +<p>“I’ll just rest here a moment,” Bab said +faintly. “I want to get my breath. But do see +to Marian. She is a brave girl. She saved my +life. I struck against the life rope, and would +have gone under with the little boy had she not +caught my arm and held me up.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span> +</p> + +<p>“You dear, dear girl,” said Mollie with a half +sob. “How splendid of you!”</p> + +<p>Then the three girls surrounded Marian and +hugged her until they were almost as wet as she +was.</p> + +<p>“I didn’t do anything remarkable,” she +averred, almost shyly. “I went into the water +after Barbara before I realized what I was +doing. I just had to catch hold of her arm, because +I saw that she was going under. You +girls are perfectly sweet to me and I am happier +to-day than I’ve ever been before.”</p> + +<p>“Marian,” called the cold tones of her +mother. “Go up to the hotel at once and change +your clothing. Your appearance is disgraceful.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. De Lancey Smythe stalked majestically +over to the little group, frowning her displeasure. +“Whatever possessed you and Miss +Thurston to rush madly into the water after a +child you never saw before?” she said to +Marian, whose happy face had darkened at her +mother’s first word. “Really, Marian, dear, +you are at times past understanding.”</p> + +<p>“Mrs. Smythe,” said Barbara coldly. “We +could never have been so heartless as to stand +on the shore and wait for some one else to rescue +that little child. I felt it my duty to make +some effort and I am sure that Marian did.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span> +</p> + +<p>“Really, Miss Thurston,” retorted Mrs. +Smythe, “I addressed my remark to Marian.”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Bab, her eyes flashing, “but you +included me in it, therefore I felt justified in +answering it.”</p> + +<p>For a moment there was a tense silence. Bab +stood looking composedly into the angry eyes +of Mrs. De Lancey Smythe. Then Ruth said, +with superb indifference. “Oh, come on, girls, +don’t waste your whole morning, here. Bab, +you’ll catch cold. Hurry right up to the hotel +with Marian. Good-bye, Marian, we’ll see you +later.”</p> + +<p>Utterly ignoring Mrs. Smythe, Ruth turned +on her heel and accompanied by Grace and +Mollie continued the stroll along the beach.</p> + +<p>“My I’d hate to meet Mrs. De Lancey Smythe +alone on a dark night,” remarked Mollie, with +a giggle. “Didn’t she look ready to scratch +Bab’s eyes out, though.”</p> + +<p>“She found her match in Mistress Barbara,” +observed Grace. “She can’t intimidate our +Bab.”</p> + +<p>Bab hurried along the beach toward the hotel +full of sympathy for the luckless Marian, and +vowing within herself to be a true friend to the +girl who had been cheated of her girlhood. +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_64"></a>64</span> +<a id='chVI'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER VI</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE COUNTESS SOPHIA</p> +</div> + + +<p>To be at luncheon with a real countess? +What bliss!</p> + +<p>Not one of the “Automobile Girls” +doubted, for an instant, the genuineness of the +Countess Sophia von Stolberg. Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe’s calumnies carried no weight with the +“Automobile Girls.”</p> + +<p>To-day the countess was more gentle, more +beautiful than she had seemed at first. And +there was less formality in her manner.</p> + +<p>Mollie, who sat at her left at the luncheon +table, quite lost the feeling of awe that had +taken possession of her the afternoon before.</p> + +<p>Opposite the countess, at the other end of +the table, sat the formidable Madame de Villiers, +the old lady with the hooked nose and the +bird-like eyes. She, too, seemed to feel more +amiable, for she watched her young guests with +an amused smile.</p> + +<p>“Do you know what I believe Madame de +Villiers was thinking all the time we were at +luncheon?” Ruth asked her friends, when they +were discussing their visit the following day. +“The amused look on her face seemed to say: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span> +‘This is just another of the countess’s pranks, +asking these strangers to luncheon. But if they +amuse her—why not!’”</p> + +<p>Madame de Villiers, however, found Miss Sallie +Stuart much to her liking. Perhaps this was +because Miss Sallie was not in the least afraid +of her, nor inclined to shrink from her, as so +many people did.</p> + +<p>The story of the morning’s adventure had +been told. The countess leaned admiringly over +the great bunch of yellow daffodils in the centre +of the table and smiled at Bab. Barbara’s +brown curls were still damp from their recent +wetting. “Were there no men on that part of +the beach when the baby was drowning? Why +did you have to risk your life in that way?” the +countess asked.</p> + +<p>“There were no men near,” Ruth replied. +“You see, it was very early in the morning. +Only the nurse girls and children were abroad.”</p> + +<p>“There was one man present!” exclaimed +Mollie, with a spark of anger in her usually +gentle blue eyes. “But he was a coward and +ran away.”</p> + +<p>“The Count de Sonde! Oh, yes,” continued +Ruth, “I had forgotten him.”</p> + +<p>The countess look startled.</p> + +<p>“The Count de Sonde!” she repeated in a +puzzled fashion. “He refused to help? He ran +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span> +away?” An expression of incredulity crossed +her face.</p> + +<p>“He most certainly did run,” Mollie declared +firmly. “I almost fell on my knees to beg him +to save Bab. But he did not even take time to +refuse me. He simply ran away, so as to live to +fight another day, I suppose.”</p> + +<p>“The Count de Sonde!” the young countess +returned. “Ah, yes, he is the young Frenchman +who was here yesterday. Then he is not +a friend of yours?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly not, Countess Sophia,” explained +Mr. Stuart. “The young man is only a chance +acquaintance, whom my friend Mr. Warren +rescued from a difficulty yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“I, also, am but a chance acquaintance,” +smiled the young countess.</p> + +<p>“Only you were the rescuer, and he was the +rescued!” exclaimed Mollie quickly, looking +fondly at her pretty hostess, who pressed her +hand under the table.</p> + +<p>“We are not in the least interested in the +count,” Ruth remarked bluntly. “We are civil +to him because we are trying to help some one.”</p> + +<p>The countess looked puzzled.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart laughed. “My dear Countess,” +he explained, “the ‘Automobile Girls’ are not +exactly Knights of the Round Table, but they +have a kind of league of their own. I think +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span> +they have formed a sort of Helping Hand Society. +They have a pretty good theory that +there is no reason why boys should enjoy all +the adventures and thrilling experiences. If +there is anything to be done, why, do it! Isn’t +that the motto, girls? I think the countess +would be amazed if she knew what you have +been through in the way of adventure. Now, +they have undertaken to look after a misguided +maiden. And I think they are rather piling on +the horrors in her case.”</p> + +<p>“Now, Father, you’ve no right to tease,” protested +Ruth. “You are the very person who +made us promise to stand by Maud Warren +through thick and thin.”</p> + +<p>“So I did,” agreed Mr. Stuart. “But I had +no romantic notions that Maud was to be protected +from the Count de Sonde. I only consented +to have you persuade Maud from certain +undesirable associates by showing her how +much more desirable you are. Now, I plainly +see the object of your protective association has +changed.”</p> + +<p>“Now, Father, you are teasing,” exclaimed +his daughter.</p> + +<p>“How can you accuse me of any such thing?” +replied Mr. Stuart, his eyes twinkling.</p> + +<p>“He always teases,” Ruth explained to the +countess and Madame de Villiers. “It’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span> +second nature to him. He can’t help it. But putting +aside all jesting, I am going to speak very +plainly about several things. I am sorry to be +obliged to backbite, but really and truly we +don’t like Mrs. De Lancey Smythe. She is the +most disagreeable person we know, and we are +going to try gradually to wean Maud Warren +from her. Maud thinks that she is wonderful +and a great society leader, but I think if one +made careful inquiry into the matter, one would +find her name among those missing from the +social world.”</p> + +<p>“Ruth, my dear,” expostulated Miss Stuart. +“You are entirely too impetuous!”</p> + +<p>“Do allow her to go on, Miss Stuart,” begged +Madame de Villiers. “She is one after my own +heart. It is refreshing to find some one who is +not afraid to speak plainly.”</p> + +<p>“Well,” continued Ruth, highly elated at receiving +the approbation of the stern old woman. +“We are going to checkmate Mrs. D. L. S. at +her own game. She is trying to throw Maud +in line with her own schemes. Enter the ‘Automobile +Girls.’ Exit the enemy. The first +battle was fought on the beach this morning, +and the situation was strongly defended to the +last word by General Barbara Thurston.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean, Ruth?” interrupted her +father gravely. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span> +</p> + +<p>Then Ruth launched forth with the account +of Mrs. De Lancey Smythe’s rudeness to Bab +and Bab’s reply. “Marian is all right,” concluded +Ruth, “but her mother is an entirely +different proposition.”</p> + +<p>“So it would seem,” murmured the countess +thoughtfully. “But suppose the count is really +an eligible person, and has fallen in love, in +earnest with Miss Warren, and suppose that +Miss Warren truly loves him, what then? Would +Mr. Warren still be opposed to the marriage?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know,” replied Ruth doubtfully. +“But you see Maud is a girl, and Mr. Warren +feels that she is too young to know her own +mind. He is afraid that the count’s title has +dazzled her, and he does not like foreigners. He +thinks we may be able to disabuse Maud of +some of her sentimental ideas. Last night we +four girls organized a secret society for the +suppression of fortune hunters, and we thought +perhaps you might help us——”</p> + +<p>“Ruth, my dear child!” protested Miss Sallie +greatly shocked.</p> + +<p>But old Madame de Villiers’ eyes gleamed +with amusement.</p> + +<p>“Indeed, I shall be most happy to become a +member of your secret society,” rejoined the +countess. “How exciting! It must be a real +secret society, if we are to be serious. Let me +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span> +see? We should arrange signals and plan a +campaign. If I am right, Miss Maud Warren +needs to be treated very delicately and carefully, +or she is likely to rebel. Is this not so?”</p> + +<p>“That is just what we agreed last night,” +Ruth confessed.</p> + +<p>“But how are we going to prove that Count de +Sonde is a fortune-hunter?” argued Mollie. +“For all we know, he may be immensely rich +as well as illustrious.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, we shall have to prove that the count is +not really in love with Mademoiselle Warren,” +answered the countess, pinching Mollie’s cheek. +She was entering into their little game with a +curious zest.</p> + +<p>“Or you might prove that he is not a count,” +interposed Madame de Villiers, with an inscrutable +expression on her grim old face.</p> + +<p>“Do you believe that he is an impostor, +Madame de Villiers?” inquired Miss Sallie.</p> + +<p>For a brief instant the countess’s eyes met +those of Madame de Villiers.</p> + +<p>The old lady shrugged her shoulders and +lifted her eyebrows in answer to Miss Sallie’s +question: “The world is so full of impostors, +and Europe so full of counts,” she said.</p> + +<p>The countess blushed hotly. There was an +awkward silence.</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie was sorry she had spoken. But +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span> +why should such an idle question cause annoyance? +The young count was surely a stranger +to her two hostesses. There was nothing to indicate +that the young man was in earnest about +Maud Warren. He had simply paid her casual +attentions for the past few days.</p> + +<p>“Shall you and I become members of this +secret society, Madame de Villiers?” inquired +Miss Stuart, to divert the conversation. “I +suppose we had better be content with the posts +of confidential agents. Because I assure you +there is no limit to what this society may do.”</p> + +<p>“And I should prefer to be scout, guardsman, +or messenger,” agreed Mr. Stuart. “I, +too, shrink from being an active member of such +a vigorous organization.”</p> + +<p>“Then let us leave these faithless people behind, +girls,” proposed the young countess. +“Let us run away to the old boathouse and plan +our campaign. We are not sure that we may +safely confide to you our secret signals, our +hand clasps and our code,” she protested to +the older people.</p> + +<p>Madame de Villiers now led the way into the +drawing room.</p> + +<p>But the young countess ran lightly out of the +house, followed by her four girl guests. “We’ll +arrange our secrets while our elders take their +coffee on the balcony,” she suggested. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span> +</p> + +<p>When the countess and the “Automobile +Girls” had disappeared, Madame de Villiers +smiled a little apologetically at Miss Stuart and +her brother. “The countess is only a girl herself,” +she explained. “Of course, she is several +years older than your girls. Yet, in many +ways, she is still simply a child.”</p> + +<p>“She is very beautiful and charming,” replied +Miss Sallie cordially. “You see how she +has fascinated our girls.”</p> + +<p>“So she does everyone,” replied Madame de +Villiers, shaking her head somewhat sadly.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the five conspirators were +absorbed in devising their signals. They were +only joking, of course. Yet, somehow, the +young countess entered so seriously into their +make-believe that the girls almost forgot they +were not in earnest. One thing they conscientiously +agreed upon—Maud Warren was to be +constantly invited to share their pleasures with, +or without, her objectionable friends.</p> + +<p>“Must the Count de Sonde be permitted always +to come along with us and Maud?” Grace +queried. She had been taking little part in the +conversation, for she had been industriously +writing down a list of signals for their new organization.</p> + +<p>“We must have him, if Maud won’t come +without him,” replied Ruth. “Maud must be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span> +won over to our side by flattering attentions. +Suppose we start out being friends with her, by +having another luncheon at our hotel. Will +you come, Countess?”</p> + +<p>The countess shook her head gently. “I am +sorry,” she replied a little soberly. “I—” she +hesitated a moment. “I fear you will think +me rude. But I have made it a rule never to +appear at the hotels. I will do anything else. +Suppose we give a picnic? Is not that what +you call it in English?”</p> + +<p>“A picnic would be delightful,” agreed Ruth +politely. But she could not help wondering why +the countess was not willing “to appear,” as +she expressed it, at the hotels.</p> + +<p>“The signals are ready!” cried Grace. +“There are two handshakes. The one which denotes +danger is like this: Press the forefinger +of one hand into the palm of the other person’s +hand when you shake hands.”</p> + +<p>“That is very clever!” exclaimed the countess. +She clasped Mollie’s little hand. “Now, +Mademoiselle Mollie, when you feel my finger +press your palm like this, you will know that +I am greatly in need of your help.”</p> + +<p>“A white ribbon bow worn on the left +shoulder, means that a secret meeting must be +called at once!” Grace declaimed.</p> + +<p>“And a blue ribbon bow, worn instead of a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span> +white one, proclaims: ‘I have important information +to communicate,’” added the Countess +Sophia. “But I should have a special signal +by which to summon you. Let me see. I +must be able to signal you from a distance. If +I fasten a red flag to one of these posts in the +day time you must know that I want to see you +very much.”</p> + +<p>“But what about a night signal?” asked +Grace, who was taking the signals very seriously.</p> + +<p>The countess laughed. “If ever you should +happen to see a bright light shining in the tower +of my villa, come to me at once. I shall be in +great danger. Now, is not that exciting?” she +cried, clasping her hands and smiling at the little +company.</p> + +<p>At this moment there came a sound of oars +dipping in the water. A boat glided from +under the pavilion, which was built out over the +water. The boat must have been hugging the +shore until it reached the boathouse. Then it +made for the open water. In the boat was one +man. And immediately the countess and the +four “Automobile Girls” recognized him. He +was the Frenchman, Monsier Duval!</p> + +<p>“I wonder if he has been eavesdropping?” +asked Ruth indignantly.</p> + +<p>“Oh well, he has heard nothing but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span> +make-believe,” the countess replied lightly, as she led +her guests back to the villa.</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chVII'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER VII</p> +<p class='cln1'>TEA IN THE COCOANUT GROVE</p> +</div> + + +<p>Their beloved red automobile, companion +in so many adventures and faithful +friend in time of need, did not accompany +the “Automobile Girls” to Palm +Beach. But Mr. Stuart engaged another larger +motor car with a chauffeur to run it, as soon as +he arrived at the famous southern resort. He +preferred Ruth to have a chauffeur at her command +in case she needed him.</p> + +<p>There was room in the new automobile for +ten persons, and Mr. Stuart, Miss Sallie, the +four “Automobile Girls,” the Countess Sophia +and Madame de Villiers seated themselves in +its cavernous depths. Then the car spun out +along the famous Shell Road, lined on each side +with the tall, delicate yucca plants. A fragrant +southern breeze fanned the faces of the happy +party. The sunlight was dazzling, the sky a +deep blue. All about were masses of tropical +vegetation that glittered in the sunshine.</p> + +<p>“This place is truly heavenly,” exclaimed +the Countess Sophia von Stolberg. She leaned +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> +back in the automobile and closed her eyes. +“How could one help being happy, surrounded +by all this beauty? I am indeed very happy to-day. +Are you not happy, Cousine?” she murmured, +taking Madame de Villiers’s hand and +looking at her with a tender, loving expression. +The older woman’s stern face softened.</p> + +<p>“Very happy, my dear,” she declared. “This +is not a place to remember one’s troubles.”</p> + +<p>The countess’s face clouded at the word +“troubles.” She began to say something in +German, but checked herself. She was far too +well-bred to speak any language but English +before her new friends.</p> + +<p>“Yes; this is a small sized heaven,” agreed +Bab. “A kind of oasis in a desert, for over +there are the Everglades.”</p> + +<p>“And what are the Everglades?” inquired +the countess.</p> + +<p>“The guide-book says they are trackless +jungle,” explained Bab. “They are full of wild +animals; wild cats, and panthers, and deer. +They have poisonous snakes in them, too. +Very few white men ever venture in the Everglades, +but the Indians have trails through +them. They often kill deer in the jungle and +sell them at the hotel.”</p> + +<p>“It would not be pleasant to be lost in such +a place,” suggested Mollie. She was thinking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span> +of her own experience when she was lost in the +forest in the Berkshire Hills.</p> + +<p>“And it would not be easy to find you in the +Everglades either, little sister,” rejoined Bab. +“So please beware! Never go into the Everglades +alone.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, don’t worry,” laughed Mollie. “Being +lost once was enough for me.”</p> + +<p>“If you ever do disappear, Mademoiselle +Mollie, the secret society will never rest until +it finds you. We must be very faithful to each +other, dear fellow members?” laughed the +countess.</p> + +<p>“I am sure we agree to that,” declared Ruth.</p> + +<p>Walking along the road ahead of them, Barbara +espied two figures.</p> + +<p>“Do you know,” she demanded, “I believe +those two people just in front of us are Maud +Warren and her count.”</p> + +<p>It really was Maud loitering along the road +accompanied by the count.</p> + +<p>“Stop our car, Robert,” ordered Miss Sallie.</p> + +<p>Maud explained that her motor car had +broken down some distance up the road. She +and the count had decided to walk on. They +hoped to be picked up by friends.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean you were out motoring alone +with the Count de Sonde?” inquired Miss Stuart +severely. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span> +</p> + +<p>“Why not?” answered Maud, looking insolently +at Miss Sallie.</p> + +<p>“Ah it is in this free America that one needs +no chaperons,” said Madame de Villiers innocently, +but with a gleam of mischief in her eyes.</p> + +<p>Maud made no reply. Two angry spots +glowed in her cheeks.</p> + +<p>The countess now made up her mind to intercede. +She did not wish Maud to fly into a rage.</p> + +<p>“I have had a visit from your friends, the +‘Automobile Girls’, Miss Warren,” she said +graciously. “Perhaps you will join them when +they come to see me again.”</p> + +<p>Maud favored the countess with a chilly stare.</p> + +<p>Could it be that Mrs. De Lancey Smythe had +been whispering tales about the countess in +Maud’s ears? And had this stupid girl believed +what she had heard? Ruth felt her heart +thump with the embarrassment of the situation. +What was Maud going to say? Strangely +enough Madame de Villiers’ face held the same +look of fear that Ruth’s did. Why should +Madame de Villiers look frightened instead of +angry?</p> + +<p>But Maud never uttered the insult her lips +were trying to frame. Spoiled and undisciplined +child that she was, when she turned her +sneering face toward the countess the words +suddenly failed her. For the first time Maud +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span> +felt that money, after all, counted for little. +There was something about this plainly dressed +woman that suddenly made her feel mean and +ashamed. Maud looked deep into the countess’s +beautiful eyes, then answered with unaccustomed +meekness. “Thank you so much. I +should like to come to see you.”</p> + +<p>In the meantime naughty Mollie was taking +a slight revenge upon the count.</p> + +<p>“You are quite athletic, are you not?” she +asked him innocently, her baby blue eyes fastened +on his.</p> + +<p>“I, athletic?” exclaimed the little count in +surprise. “Not very, Mademoiselle. Why do +you ask?”</p> + +<p>“Because you run so well,” Mollie answered, +with a far-away look.</p> + +<p>“You refer to this morning, I perceive, +Mademoiselle,” expostulated the count. “I do +not swim; therefore I ran for help. But there +was no danger. Your sister was never in deep +water. Yet it was a most effective scene. +Doubtless the young lady will enjoy being a +heroine.”</p> + +<p>Mollie flushed. “Barbara would have been +in danger if Marian had not helped to pull her +and the child out of the water. And, by the +way, Marian does not swim either.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, Mademoiselle Marian? I saw her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span> +later,” laughed the count. “How droll was +her appearance and that of your sister also.”</p> + +<p>Mollie heartily disgusted with the little count +turned her back on him.</p> + +<p>“Get into the motor car, both of you,” ordered +Miss Sallie firmly.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later their automobile reached +the entrance to the cocoanut grove.</p> + +<p>“Papa, let us stop here and have tea?” asked +Ruth.</p> + +<p>“A good idea, Ruth,” agreed Mr. Stuart, giving +the chauffeur the order.</p> + +<p>“I am very sorry,” interrupted the countess. +“But I fear I cannot stop this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, please do, Countess!” urged Ruth and +her friends. Even Maud’s voice was heard to +join in the general chorus.</p> + +<p>The countess hesitated. She looked at Madame +de Villiers with questioning eyes. It was +evident that the young countess also yearned +for the pleasure of drinking tea under the +cocoanut trees. Madame de Villiers shrugged +her shoulders. She said something softly, so +that no one else could hear. The countess +dropped her white chiffon veil down over her +face.</p> + +<p>“After all, I cannot resist your invitation, +Mr. Stuart,” the young woman agreed. “But +may I ask you not to stay long?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> +</p> + +<p>Presently Mr. Stuart’s party was seated +around a large, rustic table in the beautiful +cocoanut grove. Hundreds of other people, +clad in white and light clothes, were seated +at other tables. In the distance a band played. +During the intermissions the listeners could +hear the twittering and singing of multitudes +of birds, which also sojourn for the winter at +Palm Beach.</p> + +<p>The countess was the object of many glances +from the people near her, although she had not +lifted the heavy chiffon veil from her face. She +was a woman of rarely beautiful presence. +There was something regal in the set of her +small head on her graceful shoulders. Her +gown and hat were extremely plain and she +wore no jewels; but an atmosphere surrounded +the lovely countess like an aura of sunlight, +Ruth thought. She was very gentle and sweet, +though there was something about her that suggested +she could be equally stern if the situation +required it. Ruth hoped never to incur +her displeasure.</p> + +<p>When tea was served the countess was obliged +to throw back her veil.</p> + +<p>Madame de Villiers looked at her disapprovingly. +Then the old woman cast hurried glances +about her, but was apparently satisfied.</p> + +<p>As for the young countess, she took in a deep +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span> +breath of the warm, soft air laden with the scent +of the orange blossoms. She let her eyes +wander over the grove and smiled as a burst of +music floated across to her.</p> + +<p>“I am fascinated, enchanted!” she exclaimed. +“Mr. Stuart, I thank you for the pleasure of +this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>There was always a slight formality in the +young countess’s manner which kept people at +a distance.</p> + +<p>“Do not thank me, Countess,” protested Mr. +Stuart. “You and Madame de Villiers are conferring +an honor upon us.”</p> + +<p>“Madame de Villiers and I are two lonely +women,” continued the countess. “We have +not seen the beauties of this place, except from +our piazza. How exquisite this grove is! +Truly, it is like paradise.”</p> + +<p>Again the young woman’s gaze swept the tea +garden. Suddenly her face turned white. She +bit her lips, and sat as if turned to stone. Her +eyes were fastened on a group of three men at +a nearby table. Madame de Villiers had not +noticed them. The men had not yet noticed +the Stuart’s guests.</p> + +<p>The countess dropped her veil quickly. Ruth +and Mollie, sitting on each side of the countess, +were the only members of the party who felt +that something had happened, and they were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span> +wise enough to be absolutely silent. Only the +girls’ eyes followed the direction of the countess’s. +They, too, saw the three men, one of +whom they recognized as Mr. Duval. The other +two were strangers, foreign-looking men with +waxed mustaches and light hair.</p> + +<p>All at once Mollie felt her hand seized convulsively +under cover of the table. But the little +girl was not prepared for the special mark +of confidence that the countess was now to bestow +on her. As Mollie held the countess’s +hand in her own, she felt a tap, tap in the centre +of her palm. Like a flash Mollie remembered. +The countess had given her the danger +signal they had agreed upon the day before. +Mollie looked quickly over at Maud Warren. +She presumed the signal indicated that there +was something the matter with Maud. But +Maud was sitting quietly between Barbara and +Grace Carter.</p> + +<p>Then what could the countess mean? Could +she be jesting? Mollie did not think so. +Through the meshes of her white veil the face +of the countess looked out very white and +grave.</p> + +<p>Mollie’s heart was beating fast. What could +she say? What must she do? Of one thing +she now felt sure. The beautiful Countess +Sophia von Stolberg was threatened with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span> +trouble. She should have all the aid that the +“Automobile Girls” could give.</p> + +<p>“I understand,” Mollie now whispered back +to her in a low voice. “What shall I do?”</p> + +<p>“I must leave the tea garden at once,” replied +the countess quietly. “But I do not wish +to be observed. Madame de Villiers must go +with me, but I do not wish the party to break +up. That would make us conspicuous.”</p> + +<p>“Ruth and I will go with you. Don’t be worried; +we will go quietly. Wait, I must speak to +her.”</p> + +<p>“Ruth,” Mollie spoke softly to her friend. +“The countess wishes to go home without disturbing +any one else. Shall we slip out with +her, and see her home?”</p> + +<p>“Why, of course,” answered Ruth politely, +although she was somewhat mystified.</p> + +<p>They were about to arise quietly from the +table when they were interrupted. A waiter +handed a note to Mr. Stuart. Mr. Stuart read it. +His face turned very red.</p> + +<p>Now, if there was one thing in particular that +Robert Stuart loathed it was an anonymous letter. +The message he had just received was not +signed, and it read:</p> + +<p>“Beware of the countess. She is an impostor.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart crushed the paper in his hand. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span> +</p> + +<p>“Mr. Stuart,” said the low voice of the countess, +just at this moment, “forgive my leaving +so soon. But I must go at once. Mollie and +Ruth are coming with me.” As the countess +rose from her chair she glanced hastily at the +three men at the table near them. These men +had also risen. But they were not looking at +the countess.</p> + +<p>The young woman started hurriedly toward +the gate. Madame de Villiers quickly followed +her. So did Ruth, Mollie and Mr. Stuart.</p> + +<p>“Please wait here until we come back for +you,” Ruth said to her aunt.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Duval had now crossed the space +intervening between the two tables. He had +seated himself next to Miss Sallie. The other two +foreigners were moving toward the gate.</p> + +<p>Ruth hurried on. She gave her order to the +chauffeur. The man was soon cranking up the +machine. The four women had taken their +seats in the motor car. At this moment one of +the strangers approached Mr. Stuart. The +other took off his hat and bowed low to the +countess. He spoke to her in German, but her +reply was given in English. It was very plain. +“I do not know you,” she said.</p> + +<p>The man spoke again. This time his manner +was insolent. Madame de Villiers’s face grew +dark with rage. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span> +</p> + +<p>“Hurry!” called Ruth to her chauffeur. Mr. +Stuart sprang into the automobile.</p> + +<p>The machine sped on leaving the two strangers +standing alone in the road.</p> + +<p>“Do not worry, Cousine,” the countess murmured +in the course of their ride. “The man +who spoke to me made a mistake. You will +frighten our friends if you are so angry.”</p> + +<p>Madame de Villiers said nothing. But there +was fire in her small shining black eyes. Her +beaked nose looked as though it might peck at +the next offender.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart and the two girls left the countess +and her companion at their villa. The two +women were now composed. Indeed, the countess +made Ruth and Mollie promise that the “Automobile +Girls” would come to see her again +the next day.</p> + +<p>Mollie and Ruth could not help puzzling over +the countess as they rode back to the cocoanut +grove. Mr. Stuart kept his own counsel.</p> + +<p>“I am certain there is some mystery about +the countess,” Ruth avowed. “But, whatever +the mystery is, the ‘Automobile Girls’ are on +her side!” +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_87"></a>87</span> +<a id='chVIII'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER VIII</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE WARNING</p> +</div> + + +<p>In the meantime Mr. Duval was making himself +exceedingly entertaining to Miss Sallie, +Grace and Barbara in the tea garden. +Maud and the Count de Sonde had withdrawn +to a seat near the music, and were engrossed in +a tête–à–tête.</p> + +<p>Mr. Duval had traveled widely. He told his +little audience about Chinese and Japanese tea +gardens. He told tales of many lands and gave +accounts of numerous adventures in which he +had participated.</p> + +<p>Barbara and Grace listened fascinated. They +hardly knew how the time passed. At last Mr. +Stuart came back with Ruth and Mollie. Mr. +Warren and Mrs. De Lancey Smythe had joined +them, without Marian. Mr. Warren was looking +for Maud. But Bab wondered how poor +Marian had weathered the storm that must have +broken when Mrs. De Lancey Smythe returned +to the hotel that morning.</p> + +<p>“Where is Marian?” Ruth asked the widow +abruptly, looking her straight in the eyes.</p> + +<p>Mrs. De Lancey Smythe’s eyes dropped before +Ruth’s clear gaze. She twirled her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span> +parasol, looked annoyed then said frigidly: “Marian +has a headache this afternoon.”</p> + +<p>“I trust the wetting she got this morning had +nothing to do with it.”</p> + +<p>“Marian is an impulsive and reckless girl,” +snapped her mother. “She is entirely too fond +of disregarding all conventions.”</p> + +<p>“Has any one seen my daughter?” Mr. +Warren’s deep voice was now heard above the +hum of conversation. Mrs. De Lancey Smythe +joined him and together they strolled over toward +Maud and the count. Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe seized this opportunity to say a few +words in favor of the Count de Sonde, for it +was evident that Mr. Warren had taken a violent +dislike to the young man. Had some one +persuaded the widow to make this appeal, or +was she genuinely attracted by the young +French nobleman?</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart found himself agreeably surprised +by Monsieur Duval. When the sun began +to sink, and the tea drinkers prepared to +return to their hotel, Mr. Duval occupied a seat +in the Stuart automobile. Moreover, when he +said good-bye on the hotel veranda, he carried +with him two invitations. One was to dine with +the Stuart party that very evening, the other, +to go with them the next day on a picnic.</p> + +<p>No sooner was Bab out of the automobile +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span> +than she determined to run up to Marian’s +room. She knew the widow had not yet returned. +Bab found the number of Marian’s +room from the hotel clerk. Then she got in the +elevator and went up to the top floor of the +hotel.</p> + +<p>She knocked at a door in the middle of a long +narrow passage, and a faint voice said: “Come +in.”</p> + +<p>Bab entered a small bed room situated under +the eaves of the hotel roof. There were three +trunks in the tiny chamber which overlooked a +court yard. The room was very close and hot. +Marian was on the bed. She had cried herself +to sleep. At Bab’s knock she opened her heavy +eyes.</p> + +<p>“Why, Barbara!” she exclaimed. “It is awfully +good of you to come up to see me, but +Mama would have three fits if she knew you +had seen this room. I am glad you have come, +because I have something special to tell you. +I——” Poor Marian hesitated and stopped.</p> + +<p>Barbara looked at her with questioning eyes.</p> + +<p>“I am afraid it is dreadfully disloyal of me +to say another word.” Marian pressed her +hands to her temples. “And I haven’t anything +really definite to tell you. But, oh Barbara, +I have a suspicion that something may +happen soon! Will you remember that I had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span> +nothing to do with it, and that I mean to prevent +it if I can?”</p> + +<p>Barbara, completely mystified, hardly knew +what to reply.</p> + +<p>“Do you mean to warn me, Marian?” she +asked her new friend. “Do you mean that +something is going to happen that may concern +us?”</p> + +<p>“No; not exactly,” Marian answered. Then +she made an impetuous movement. “Please +don’t question me,” she begged. “There is a +reason why I dare not answer your questions. +Forget what I have said, if you can. But for +goodness’ sake, don’t mention to Mama that I +have talked with you. I sometimes wonder +what will become of us. Things can’t go on +much longer. There is sure to be a grand +crash. But please go, now, Barbara, Mama +might come in and she would be very angry to +find you here. I will see you to-night.”</p> + +<p>Barbara did not meet Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe as she left Marian’s room, but she did +run across her in the evening. The widow was +hurrying through a side corridor in the hotel. +She was wrapped in a long dark cloak, and appeared +to be trying to leave the hotel by stealth. +Bab drew back into one end of the corridor until +the widow had disappeared, then she walked +slowly out on the piazza. Marian’s warning +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span> +was ringing in her ears. What was it that +Marian had feared might happen, and why did +her mother leave the hotel in that stealthy +mysterious manner?</p> + +<p>On the piazza Bab found her own friends enjoying +the beauty of the night. Maud and the +Count de Sonde were talking just outside the +group.</p> + +<p>“Do you know what I heard to-day?” remarked +Mr. Stuart. “I understand that there +is a swindler abroad at Palm Beach. A woman +at that.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t mean it,” exclaimed Miss Sallie. +“How dreadful!”</p> + +<p>“It seems,” continued Mr. Stuart, “that +the detectives have been on the watch for her +for some time, but so far she has been too clever +for them. However, they have traced her to +the Beach, but among the hundreds of tourists +they have lost their clue. They do not despair +of finding her yet, and a strict watch is being +kept. She may be apprehended at any moment.”</p> + +<p>“Well, let’s hope she doesn’t attempt to +swindle us,” commented Ruth. “By the way +where is Monsieur Duval? He disappeared +mysteriously the moment dinner was over.”</p> + +<p>“He had an engagement, and begged to be excused,” +replied Mr. Stuart. “He said he would +return in a little while.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span> +</p> + +<p>“Speaking of angels,” remarked Mollie, +“here he comes now.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and he’s towing along our pet aversion +Mrs. D. L. Smythe,” said Grace.</p> + +<p>Bab looked toward the approaching pair.</p> + +<p>Monsier Duval and Mrs. De Lancey Smythe +not yet aware that they were under the observation +of the Stuart party, were deeply engaged +in conversation.</p> + +<p>Barbara, watching closely, saw the Frenchman +glance up, then he quickly dropped his +eyes, and an expression of cautious cunning +flitted over his face. His lips moved, the +widow gave a half frightened look, then her expression +of absorption changed to one of +languid indifference. As the two neared the +steps, from their demeanor, one would have concluded +them to be mere acquaintances.</p> + +<p>What was the meaning of it all? Barbara +wondered. And what secret understanding was +there between those two people? Bab’s observant +eye noted that Monsieur Duval carried +over one arm the heavy cloak in which she had +seen the widow wrapped a short time before. +Had Mrs. De Lancey Smythe gone to meet the +Frenchman, and, if so why did she not do so +openly? Suppose Mrs. De Lancey Smythe were +an impostor, with a game to play. Suppose +Mr. Duval were—Barbara sighed impatiently. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span> +She was letting her imagination run riot. She +resolved to dismiss the whole tiresome business +from her mind, and enjoy herself.</p> + +<p>At that moment Maud Warren came languidly +forward, the little count at her heels. “Miss +Stuart,” she announced, “I have persuaded +Papa to let me give a masked ball before we go +back to New York. There are a number of +smart people here at Palm Beach, and I want the +count to see one of our American balls. We +shall wear our masks until midnight, and then +have a cotillon afterwards.”</p> + +<p>“That will be delightful, Maud!” replied +Ruth. “And that reminds me. Father and I +have never arranged about our picnic to-morrow. +Don’t you think it would be fun to motor +over to the big ostrich farm and have our +luncheon there under the trees?”</p> + +<p>“Very delightful,” agreed Maud. “Don’t +you think so, Count?”</p> + +<p>“I shall be charmed,” replied the little count, +with an exaggerated bow.</p> + +<p>“But we shan’t,” whispered Mollie, naughtily +to Barbara, under cover of general conversation.</p> + +<p>“In order to cure, we must endure,” returned +Bab in an undertone. Whereupon the sisters +both chuckled softly.</p> + +<p>At this juncture Marian appeared at the end +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span> +of the piazza, and came slowly toward the +group. Her eyes still showed traces of tears, +and she looked ill and wretched.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart greeted Marian kindly, and immediately +invited her to Ruth’s picnic. And +the invitation, of course, had to include Marian’s +mother. “I am sorry you have been ill,” +he said courteously, interrupting his conversation +with Mr. Duval.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Duval’s eyes rested curiously on +Marian. His look searched her face. “Perhaps +the climate of Palm Beach does not agree +with your health,” he suggested. “You do not +like it here?”</p> + +<p>“It is not a question of what I like or dislike, +Mr. Duval,” said Marian curtly.</p> + +<p>“But what do you prefer?” persisted the +Frenchman with a shade of interest in his manner.</p> + +<p>“To mind my own affairs,” returned Marian +coldly, turning her back on Monsieur Duval. +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_95"></a>95</span> +<a id='chIX'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER IX</p> +<p class='cln1'>A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY</p> +</div> + + +<p>Early the next afternoon the picnickers +sallied forth in two automobiles, +going first to the villa for the Countess +Sophia and Madame de Villiers, then the +two cars sped along the country road in the direction +of the ostrich farm. Marian, Mollie, +Mrs. De Lancey Smythe, Miss Stuart, Barbara, +Maud and the Count de Sonde were in the foremost +car, while the remainder of the party occupied +the car first rented by Mr. Stuart, with +Ruth as chauffeur.</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you start a song?” called Ruth +over her shoulder. “Grace, sing something. +Sing ‘My Old Kentucky Home.’”</p> + +<p>Grace sang the plaintive old melody in her +sweet, high soprano voice.</p> + +<p>The Countess Sophia was enchanted. “What +a charming song!” she declared. “What an +exquisite melody. I have not heard it before. +Is it not one of your old southern songs?”</p> + +<p>“Won’t you sing, Countess?” begged Mr. +Stuart.</p> + +<p>The countess shook her head and smiled. “I +do not care to sing alone,” she avowed. “But +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span> +I am sure Monsieur Duval has the throat of a +singer. Will you not sing a song of your country, +Monsieur?”</p> + +<p>“If you will sing a song of your land in return,” +answered the Frenchman quickly. Could +it be that he, too, was curious to discover to a +certainty the Countess Sophia von Stolberg’s +nationality?</p> + +<p>The countess dropped her eyes under Mr. Duval’s +steady gaze.</p> + +<p>“I do not sing without an accompaniment, +Monsieur,” she said briefly.</p> + +<p>Madame de Villiers looked annoyed. Grace +and Ruth wondered why the countess should +be so secretive. She spoke French, German +and English almost equally well. On her library +table Ruth had discovered a number of Italian +books.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Duval did not press his request. +The Frenchman had very polished manners. Instead +in a full baritone voice he sang the +“Marseillaise.” His audience was profoundly +stirred. “You are a patriot, Mr. Duval,” Mr. +Stuart remarked.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Duval’s expression changed. But +he said nothing. It was impossible to translate +his peculiar look.</p> + +<p>“Do sing for us, Countess,” begged Grace +later. “I know you have a wonderful voice.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span> +</p> + +<p>“Remember, you are to give us a song of +your country,” Mr. Duval persisted.</p> + +<p>The countess made no reply to him. But in +a voice clear as a bell she sang:</p> + +<div> +<p style='margin:0 auto 0 4ex'>“Thou art like unto a flower.”</p> +</div> + +<p>“But that is an English song,” expostulated +Mr. Duval when the countess had finished.</p> + +<p>“Yes, but it was written first by a German +poet: Du bist wie eine blume,” sang the countess, +this time in German. “Shall I try it in +French and Italian for you? The little song +has been translated into every tongue.”</p> + +<p>It was evident to her listeners that the +Countess Sophia von Stolberg was proficient in +half a dozen languages.</p> + +<p>Grace thought she caught a glimpse of concealed +amusement on Madame de Villiers’s face. +But the stately old woman said nothing.</p> + +<p>The motor party had now arrived at the +ostrich farm. Mollie, the countess and Bab ran +on ahead. Ruth slipped her arm through Maud +Warren’s. The count joined them, but Ruth +did not withdraw her arm. Maud did not seem +to mind Ruth’s “playing gooseberry.” Maud +was really becoming fond of the “Automobile +Girls.” It was plain, however, that the Count +de Sonde had eyes only for Maud. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span> +</p> + +<p>The Count de Sonde, who wore high heeled +shoes to make him look taller, walked with +the two girls. He talked constantly, using his +hands and shoulders to emphasize his remarks.</p> + +<p>“You see, Mademoiselle Maud,” he explained. +“My parents died when I was a mere infant. +Most of my life I have spent in Paris. I do not +often go to the Chateau de Sonde. But I love +dearly the home of my ancestors.”</p> + +<p>“How much land have you around your castle, +Count?” asked Ruth.</p> + +<p>The count looked annoyed at the question. +“It is a very large estate,” he answered +vaguely.</p> + +<p>But Ruth was determined to secure definite +information. “Is your chateau on a hill or in a +valley?” she next inquired.</p> + +<p>The count shrugged his shoulders. “It is on +the side of a mountain, overlooking a valley,” +he declared.</p> + +<p>The picnic party had now arrived in front of +the cages containing the ostriches. The great +birds were strolling about in fine disdain.</p> + +<p>But Ruth’s mind dwelt on the Chateau de +Sonde. She was frankly curious about it. +“Have you ever visited the Count de Sonde at +his chateau, Mr. Duval?” inquired Ruth, who +happened to be standing next the Frenchman.</p> +<div class="figure"> +<img src="images/illus-098.jpg" alt="image"/> +<p class="caption">The Count Walked With the Two Girls.</p> +</div> + +<p> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span> +“A number of times, Miss Stuart,” answered +Monsieur Duval. “The count and I are old +friends.”</p> + +<p>“Is it built on a mountain or in a valley?” +queried Ruth. She did not know herself exactly +why she repeated her question.</p> + +<p>“The Chateau de Sonde nestles in the heart +of a valley,” was Monsieur Duval’s prompt answer.</p> + +<p>He caught Ruth’s eyes fixed on him with an +expression of wonder. But it was Ruth, not +Monsieur Duval, who blushed furiously. The +man’s eyes were gray and inscrutable. “Why +do you ask, Mademoiselle?” he inquired.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know,” Ruth answered lamely. +The man frightened her. He seemed so brilliant, +so traveled, so strong, so dangerous. And +yet, he had just told Ruth a lie. Why should +he pretend he had visited at the Chateau de +Sonde?</p> + +<p>“Come, everybody; it is time for luncheon,” +called Mr. Stuart an hour later, when his +guests had finished their survey of the ostrich +cages.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” opened their immense +lunch basket, which the chauffeur had +set under the trees. The Countess Sophia insisted +on helping the girls. She was all radiant +smiles and gayety. She hummed a song to +herself full of delicious, bird-like trills, in a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span> +voice that had been wonderfully trained. In +every way the countess showed what pleasure +she felt in the picnic. So much so that she was +easily the central figure of the party.</p> + +<p>Finally the entire company seated themselves +in a circle on the ground, Maud Warren and +her father with flushed faces. They had evidently +been having a private altercation about +the Count de Sonde. The count however looked +serenely unconscious of the fact.</p> + +<p>A sense of tranquility and cheerfulness soon +stole over every one. The day was enchanting. +The chicken and nut sandwiches and other eatables +tasted unusually good, and the party did +full justice to the tempting luncheon the Stuarts +had provided.</p> + +<p>All the guests laughed and talked at the same +time. Suddenly the countess began to sing +again in a low voice: “Knowest thou the land?” +from “Mignon.”</p> + +<p>The others listened with delight.</p> + +<p>Down the avenue a vehicle was heard approaching. +There was a cloud of dust enveloping +it. It was impossible for the picnic party +to distinguish the occupants of the carriage. +The countess’s back was turned toward the +equipage. She did not look around. Mollie +and Ruth were glad that she did not turn, for +they recognized the two foreigners who had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span> +frightened the young Countess Sophia in the tea +garden the afternoon before.</p> + +<p>The men drove up to a palm tree near the +spot where Mr. Stuart’s guests were eating. +They hitched their horse. Then they walked +deliberately over to the picnickers. Without a +word one of the men reached down. He touched +the Countess Sophia von Stolberg on the arm.</p> + +<p>Undoubtedly he was German. His face +looked threatening and his manner was insulting. +His companion waited near him. The +Countess Sophia shuddered as the stranger +touched her. She trembled and turned pale like +a frightened child.</p> + +<p>“Madame,” said the German, “you are +wanted by the police. We have been sent to +arrest you.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. De Lancey Smythe gave a hysterical +laugh of triumph.</p> + +<p>But the young countess quickly recovered her +self-control.</p> + +<p>“You have made a mistake,” she returned +quietly, to the man, whose hand still rested on +her arm. “What have I done to be arrested? +You have no right to annoy me.”</p> + +<p>“You are the notorious swindler wanted by +the police of two continents,” accused the +German. “I am here to take you back to +France where you are wanted.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span> +</p> + +<p>Madame de Villiers now arose. She lifted her +great mahogany cane, her face dark with anger.</p> + +<p>“You will regret this day’s work,” she announced. +“Be gone!”</p> + +<p>But she had hardly finished her speech, before +Mr. Stuart was on his feet. He seized the +intruder by the collar, and before the man could +more than raise his hand from the Countess +Sophia’s arm, he was hurled several feet away, +landing in a heap on the ground.</p> + +<p>“You foreign idiot,” cried Mr. Stuart, forgetting +his women guests in his anger. “How +dare you come here and create a disturbance +among my friends. You are without a warrant +or a policeman. The Countess Sophia von Stolberg +is our friend. You shall pay dearly for +your insolence. Leave this place without a second’s +delay or I shall lay violent hands on you.”</p> + +<p>The two strangers did not dare defy Mr. Stuart. +Mr. Warren had also risen and hurried +to his friend’s aid and the two Americans looked +thoroughly capable of enforcing their commands.</p> + +<p>The foreigners went back to their carriage. +After a slight delay they drove off, still muttering +veiled threats.</p> + +<p>When they had disappeared down the avenue, +Countess Sophia gave Mr. Stuart her hand. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span> +</p> + +<p>“I thank you, Monsieur,” she said. “Madame +de Villiers and I are alone. It is good to have +a protector. I do not know why those men attempted +to arrest me without a warrant. I assure +you they had not just cause. I believe they +were sent by an enemy.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps, Countess,” replied Mr. Stuart, +“those two men think you are some one else. +I know there is a notorious swindler at large at +Palm Beach. It is probably a case of mistaken +identity.”</p> + +<p>The Countess Sophia made no answer. Barbara, +who was watching her closely, saw a look +of unmistakable fear leap into her dark eyes +at the mention of the word “swindler.” Bab +glanced quickly about her and encountered the +eyes of Monsieur Duval. In them was an expression +of cruel triumph that made Bab feel +certain that he was in some way responsible for +the late unpleasant scene.</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chX'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER X</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE SECRET SIGNALS</p> +</div> + + +<p>Ruth was stretched out on a steamer rug +on the warm sands, lazily looking out +over the blue waters.</p> + +<p>Barbara was disporting herself in the waves +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span> +like a water sprite who had dared to show herself +among mortals. Many of the bathers +stopped to watch with admiration the figure +of the young girl plunging gracefully through +the waves.</p> + +<p>But Ruth was not watching Barbara. She +was thinking deeply.</p> + +<p>Why had the Countess Sophia von Stolberg +refused to prosecute the two foreigners who had +deliberately insulted her?</p> + +<p>Immediately after their return from the picnic +Mr. Stuart had written the young countess +a note. He suggested that he have the two +strangers put out of their hotel, even driven +away from Palm Beach. But the countess’s +reply had been polite, but firm. No; she did not +wish to prosecute her annoyers. The men had +simply made a mistake. There would be less +notoriety if she let the matter drop.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart was not satisfied. He assured the +countess that he and Mr. Warren had sufficient +influence to have the two men sent away without +the least publicity attending their dismissal. +Still the decision of the countess remained unchanged. +She graciously thanked Mr. Stuart +for his kindness, but she really preferred to let +the whole matter drop.</p> + +<p>There was nothing more to be said.</p> + +<p>Ruth now observed these same two men. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span> +They were seated not far from her, watching +Barbara with stolid admiration. So far as +Ruth knew they had not repeated their attempt +to arrest the countess. But they had not confessed +their error, nor offered to apologize +either to Mr. Stuart or to the countess.</p> + +<p>The story that there was a notorious woman +swindler at large at Palm Beach was now common +gossip.</p> + +<p>“It is absurd to suspect the countess,” Ruth +thought as she reviewed the recent disagreeable +incident. “If the scandal goes any further I +shall side with her, no matter what may be the +consequences.” Ruth ended her reverie by +making this last statement aloud. But she was +sorry a second later.</p> + +<p>A voice spoke at her elbow. “Do you think, +Mademoiselle Ruth,” it inquired, “that suspicion +of a certain person will reach a point where +you will be required to take sides?”</p> + +<p>Ruth started. She had been in a brown study, +and was embarrassed and annoyed at having +been caught speaking aloud.</p> + +<p>The voice belonged to Monsieur Duval. He +had come dripping from his swim in the ocean, +and had laid himself in the sand directly behind +Ruth without her noticing him.</p> + +<p>“To what suspicion do you refer, Mr. Duval?” +Ruth asked haughtily. She knew this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span> +clever Frenchman could read her mind like an +open book. But she did not intend to confess +that her remark had referred to the young +countess.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Duval smiled. “I am afraid I listened +at the door of your thoughts,” he said. +“I think I can guess with whom you intend to +take sides. But I promise not to betray your +secret. I am sorry I overheard your last remark. +Yet I do not see why you think the +Countess Sophia may be accused of being this +notorious woman criminal. It is true she allows +herself to be persecuted without reason. +She will not appear at this, or any other hotel, +and keeps herself as much in seclusion as possible. +Also she will not tell us the country of +her birth, nor does she refer to any friends, +but——” Monsieur Duval stopped.</p> + +<p>Ruth was indignant at the array of evidence +that this Monsieur Duval was able to present +against the young countess. She flushed guiltily, +but wisely refrained from answering the +Frenchman.</p> + +<p>Mr. Duval was obliged to continue the conversation.</p> + +<p>“Do you wish to help your friend?” he asked +Ruth quietly.</p> + +<p>“Of course,” Ruth replied warmly.</p> + +<p>The Frenchman leaned over. “Then watch +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span> +everything, but say nothing. And, above all +things, do not have a too accurate memory.”</p> + +<p>Ruth was about to make an angry retort, +when Mr. Duval skilfully changed the subject +of their conversation. He praised Bab’s wonderful +diving. It reminded him of Neapolitan +boys he had seen diving for pennies. Mr. Duval +next told Ruth of a walking trip he had +once made through southern Italy. She listened +very much against her will to the entertaining +Frenchman and it was with distinct relief +that she saw Miss Sallie approaching them, +dressed in an imported lavender linen and carrying +a parasol and a book.</p> + +<p>Maud and her count appeared from the opposite +direction. They also came forward to join +Ruth and Monsieur Duval. Bab ran up the +beach, shaking the drops of water from her blue +bathing suit, her wet curls sparkling in the sun.</p> + +<p>Mr. Duval did not wish to remain with so +large a party. His words had been for Ruth’s +ears alone. As Miss Stuart approached he +bowed ironically to Ruth and strolled away.</p> + +<p>“How glad I am that we are not in the cold, +sleet and blizzards of Chicago, child,” Miss +Stuart remarked, bringing Ruth back to earth +again. “The Countess Sophia was right in saying +our American climate in the north is unbearable +in the winter time. I never felt so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span> +well in my life as I do in this delightful +place.”</p> + +<p>“Aunt Sallie,” asked Ruth thoughtfully, ignoring +the weather, and going back to the idea +that was uppermost in her mind. “Do you +think the Countess Sophia could be in need of +money?”</p> + +<p>“How can I tell, child?” replied Miss Sallie. +“The countess dresses plainly, but her gowns +are in excellent taste. They are made by +a modiste in Vienna, who, I happen to know, is +one of the most expensive in Europe. On the +other hand Madame de Villiers and the countess +live very quietly. They keep only two servants. +But the countess has the air of a woman of +wealth and culture.”</p> + +<p>“Are we going to dine with the countess to-morrow +night?” asked Ruth impetuously.</p> + +<p>“Certainly, child,” Miss Sallie replied, her +serenity undisturbed. “It is true your father +may not have returned from his fishing trip, +but there is no reason why we should not go +without him.”</p> + +<p>Ruth closed her eyes. Could it be possible +that they might be invited to eat food paid for +by money gained dishonestly? Surely Monsieur +Duval could not have spoken the truth!</p> + +<p>“Here comes that Mrs. De Lancey Smythe,” +remarked Miss Sallie with sudden energy. “I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span> +do wish that woman would keep away from +us.”</p> + +<p>“Aunt Sallie,” said Ruth, “what do you dislike +most about Mrs. De Lancey Smythe?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t ask me, my dear,” returned Miss Stuart +rather impatiently. “Everything I should +say. I must confess that the very sight of her +irritates me.”</p> + +<p>“There is something peculiar about her, at +any rate,” said Ruth, “I have seen her face +grow hard as rock and look positively wicked +when she thought no one was noticing her. +Marian is afraid of her, too.”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense, Ruth,” replied Miss Sallie severely. +“You and Barbara let your imaginations +have too free rein. I don’t approve of +the woman and dislike her intensely, but I am +not going to make her out an ogre.”</p> + +<p>“She is, though,” persisted Ruth. “That’s +why you don’t like her, only you don’t know +it yourself. Some day you’ll see I am right. +Oh, here come Mollie and Grace. What’s new, +chilluns?” and springing to her feet Ruth called +to Bab then hurried toward the approaching +girls.</p> + +<p>Mollie and Grace had been out in a boat all +morning with some new friends they had made +at the hotel. As Ruth walked toward them she +noticed that Mollie’s cheeks were very red, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span> +that she wore a look of suppressed excitement. +Grace seemed almost equally agitated. Before +she could reach them, however, she was hailed +by a crowd of young people who were strolling +on the beach, and she and Bab were obliged to +stop and hold conversation.</p> + +<p>Mollie felt that it was imperative to summon +Bab and Ruth. How could she manage without +being observed? A sudden thought came +to her. Putting her hand back to her curls she +hastily untied the ribbon that bound them. The +ribbon was blue. In an instant Mollie twisted +it into a bow knot and pinned it on her left +shoulder. Would Barbara and Ruth remember +what the secret signal meant?</p> + +<p>Mollie need not have wondered. Hastily +separating themselves from the crowd of talkers +Bab and Ruth sped up the beach to join Mollie +and Grace.</p> + +<p>“What is it, Mollie?” cried Bab out of breath. +“I remember the blue ribbon. It was to signify: +‘I have important news to communicate!’ +What has happened?”</p> + +<p>“As we passed the countess’s villa on the +launch, this morning,” Mollie whispered mysteriously, +“we saw a red flag tied to one of the +posts of her pavilion. The countess wishes to +see us on important business!” +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_113"></a>113</span> +<a id='chXI'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XI</p> +<p class='cln1'>WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS</p> +</div> + + +<p>“Shall we go to the countess at once, +Ruth?” asked Barbara.</p> + +<p>Ruth hesitated. “The chauffeur has +gone away for the day,” she replied. “And +we have no one to take us by boat to the villa.”</p> + +<p>Mollie’s blue eyes filled with tears. She had +feared that Ruth suspected their lovely countess. +Now she was sure of it. How absurd for +Ruth to suggest they could not use the automobile +because her chauffeur was away. The +“Automobile Girls” had traveled for days at +a time, with Ruth as her own chauffeur, while +the trip to the countess’s villa represented only +a few miles.</p> + +<p>“How can you be so cruel, Ruth?” Mollie +cried. “You just don’t want to go to the countess’s +aid because you have listened to tales +about her from that horrid Mrs. Smythe.”</p> + +<p>“I haven’t listened to Mrs. Smythe, Mollie,” +Ruth answered soothingly. “But I have been +thinking. You can’t deny that there is a good +deal of mystery surrounding the Countess Sophia. +There are many things that it seems to +me she might explain. I don’t wish to be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span> +hateful, and of course I can drive our car over to +the countess’s, though I have never taken out +such a big car alone before. Come; let’s get +ready.”</p> + +<p>Barbara hesitated. “Mollie,” she protested, +“I don’t think it is right for us to make Ruth +take us to see the countess, if she would rather +not go.”</p> + +<p>Mollie bit her lips. “Ruth Stuart,” she said, +“you talk about the countess explaining things. +What have you ever asked her to explain? If +there is anything you want to know about her, +ask her to tell you. It is not fair to keep silent, +and still not to trust her.”</p> + +<p>Ruth had a sudden conviction that she would +as soon approach the Queen of England to inquire +into her private affairs as to ask questions +of the Countess Sophia von Stolberg.</p> + +<p>“Well, Mollie, I will say this much,” Ruth +conceded. “I never doubt our countess when +I am with her. She is so beautiful and sweet +that I forget to be suspicious. But, when I am +away from her, I have just wondered a little, +that’s all! Now, don’t be cross, Barbara, +but come with me. I am going to get out the +automobile. Grace, will you and Mollie explain +to Aunt Sallie where we are going?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll tell you what, Ruth,” Bab suggested. +“Let us make up our minds not to suspect the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span> +countess because of any gossip we hear. There +seems to be a great deal of talking going on, +but nobody makes any definite charges. The +countess has been delightful to us. I am afraid +I am on her side as much as Mollie. The +countess, right or wrong, but still the countess!”</p> + +<p>“Loyal Bab!” cried Ruth, patting Barbara’s +hand. “See, I cast all my suspicions away!” +Ruth waved her other hand. “The cause of +the countess is my cause also. I shall fight for +her, through thick and thin.” Ruth looked as +though she meant what she said.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” were soon on their +way to the countess’s pretty villa. Mollie still +held herself apart from the other three girls. +She felt that no one of them had risen to the +defence of her adored countess with the ardor +she expected.</p> + +<p>Ruth was running the car slowly. It was only +a few miles to the villa. Ruth was a cautious +chauffeur, and was not in the habit of managing +so large an automobile.</p> + +<p>As her car moved quietly and steadily toward +its destination, another small automobile +dashed past it. Ruth glanced about quickly. +The man who drove the small car was exceeding +the speed limit. He was alone. He wore a long +dust coat with the collar turned up to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span> +his ears; he had a cap pulled low over his face, +and he wore an immense pair of green goggles. +But Ruth’s quick eyes recognized him. Her +three companions paid little attention to the +man.</p> + +<p>“Bab,” said Ruth, at almost the same instant +that the small car swept by them, “it is +Monsieur Duval who is driving that car!”</p> + +<p>“Well,” replied Bab, “what of it? I did not +know Mr. Duval was a motorist. But I am not +surprised, for he seems to know almost everything.”</p> + +<p>“Bab, I think he is on his way to see the +Countess Sophia von Stolberg,” Ruth announced +with conviction.</p> + +<p>“He does not know the countess, does he?” +Grace inquired. “I think he was introduced +to her only through us.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know what Monsieur Duval knows +and what he doesn’t know,” explained Ruth. +“But I should like to find out. Anyhow, I am +going to beat him to the countess’s house. If +she has something important to tell us, Monsieur +Duval shall not keep us from hearing it.”</p> + +<p>Ruth put on full speed and started her car in +pursuit of the flying automobile in front of her. +In a few seconds she drew near the automobile. +The little car was on the right side of the road +and making its best speed. Ruth sounded her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> +horn. She swerved her great car to the left in +order to pass the smaller one.</p> + +<p>Bab uttered a cry of terror. Mollie and +Grace both screamed. Ruth’s face turned +white, but she had no time to scream.</p> + +<p>The small motor car just in front of her immense +automobile turned like a flash. It swept +across the road immediately in the path of +Ruth’s on-coming car, and not more than a few +paces ahead of her.</p> + +<p>It was either a mad piece of foolishness on +the part of the chauffeur, or a magnificent dare. +At the moment Ruth did not stop to wonder +whether the man ahead of her had deliberately +risked his life and theirs in order to accomplish +some purpose. All her ability as a driver was +needed to meet the situation.</p> + +<p>Ruth’s hands never left the steering wheel +of her car. In less than a half second, she put +on the full stop brake. With a terrific wrench +her great automobile settled back. It stopped +just one foot this side of the car that had crossed +their path.</p> + +<p>Ruth was white with anger. She saw, a moment +later, that the driver ahead of her had +accomplished his design. For no sooner had +Ruth’s car stopped, than the other motorist +forged ahead. Ruth resumed the chase, but +she was obliged to be careful. She dared not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span> +risk the lives of her friends by driving too close +to the other car. The man ahead might repeat +his trick. Ruth could not be sure that she could +always stop her motor in so brief a space of +time and distance.</p> + +<p>So the smaller of the two automobiles arrived +first at the countess’s villa.</p> + +<p>The Countess Sophia von Stolberg evidently +expecting a visit from the “Automobile Girls,” +sat at her piano in her drawing-room, playing +one of Chopin’s nocturnes. At the sound +of the automobile outside on the avenue the +countess left her music and ran out on her +veranda to meet her young visitors. But instead +of the four girls a heavy, well-built man +in a long dust coat and goggles approached the +countess. The countess did not recognize him +at once. A suave voice soon enlightened her. +“Madame,” it said. “I have come to see you +on an important matter of business. I must see +you alone.”</p> + +<p>“What business can you have with me, Monsieur +Duval?” asked the young countess coldly. +But her voice trembled slightly.</p> + +<p>“I bring you news of a friend,” declared Mr. +Duval quietly.</p> + +<p>“I have no friends whom you could know, +Monsieur,” answered the Countess Sophia.</p> + +<p>“No?” her visitor replied, shrugging his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span> +shoulders and speaking in a light bantering tone. +“Shall I inform you, then, and your young +friends, whom I now see approaching?”</p> + +<p>Ruth’s motor car was now in plain sight. The +four girls rushed forward to join the countess.</p> + +<p>At the same moment the tap-tap of a stick +was heard inside the house. Madame de Villiers +appeared, followed by Johann with a tray +of lemonade.</p> + +<p>The countess spoke quickly. “No, no, you +must say nothing to me, now. I cannot listen +to you. Please go away.”</p> + +<p>Bab noticed that the countess was trembling +when she took her hand.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Duval bowed courteously to Ruth. +“Mademoiselle,” he declared, “I owe you an +apology. I fear I am but a poor chauffeur. +My car swerved in front of yours on the road. +It was unpardonable. I offer you many thanks +for your skill. You saved us from a bad +smash-up.”</p> + +<p>Ruth colored. Hot words rose to her lips. +But she feared to say too much. She looked +at Mr. Duval gravely. “I think, Mr. Duval,” +she remarked, as suavely as the Frenchman +could have spoken, “it will be wise for you not +to run a motor car unless you learn how to +handle it better. You are right. We were exposed +to great danger from your carelessness.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span> +</p> + +<p>Madame de Villiers now gazed sternly at +Monsieur Duval. “Have I the pleasure of +your acquaintance?” she inquired coldly, turning +her lorgnette on the Frenchman.</p> + +<p>Monsieur Duval lost some of his self-assurance +in the presence of this beak-nosed old +lady. “I met you at Mr. Stuart’s picnic, +Madame,” he explained. “Good-bye, ladies.” +Monsieur Duval bowed low. Then he turned +to the countess. “I will deliver my news to +you, Countess Sophia, whenever you are pleased +to hear it.” A moment later the Frenchman +disappeared. But on his way back to his hotel +he smiled. “If life were not a lottery it would +be too stupid to endure. Yet this is the first +time in my career that a group of young girls +have tried to beat me at my own game.”</p> + +<p>When the Frenchman had finally gone the +countess turned to Mollie, and kissed her. Then +she looked affectionately at Bab, Grace and +Ruth.</p> + +<p>“You saw my signal, didn’t you?” she asked, +smiling. “What an energetic society to come +to me in such a hurry! I really have something +to tell you. It is something serious. Yet +I must ask you to trust me, if I tell you only +part of a story. I cannot tell you all. As it +is much too beautiful to stay indoors, suppose +we go to my pavilion down by the water.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span> +</p> + +<p>On the way to the boathouse, Ruth stopped +to embrace Mollie. “Mollie, darling, forgive +me!” she whispered. “I promise you never +to doubt our lovely countess again. She is perfect.”</p> + +<p>When the Countess Sophia and the four “Automobile +Girls” were safely in the boathouse, +the young hostess sighed. “I am sorry to talk +about disagreeable things to-day,” she murmured. +“You cannot understand what a pleasure +it is to me to know four such charming +young girls. I have had so few companions in +my life. Indeed I have been lonely, always.”</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” were silent. They +hardly knew what to reply.</p> + +<p>“I must try to tell you why I sent for you,” +the countess went on. “I want to warn +you——”</p> + +<p>“About the Count de Sonde?” cried Mollie, +who had never gotten over her first prejudice.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” replied the countess slowly. “I think +I promised to help you save your girl friend +Maud Warren. I am afraid she and the count +are more interested in each other than you girls +imagine.” The countess faltered and looked +fearfully about her. “You must not let Miss +Warren marry the Count de Sonde,” she murmured. +“You must stop such a wedding at all +hazards. The Count de Sonde is——” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span> +</p> + +<p>“Is what?” asked Barbara.</p> + +<p>The countess shook her head. Again she +blushed painfully. “I cannot tell you now,” +explained the countess. “But I know this. If +Miss Warren marries the Count de Sonde she +will regret it all her life.”</p> + +<p>“But how can we prevent Maud’s marrying +the count if she wishes to do so?” queried +practical Bab. “Unless you can tell us something +definite against the count, we cannot go +to Mr. Warren or Maud. Mr. Warren has already +forbidden Maud to have anything to do +with the Count de Sonde, but Maud continually +disobeys her father.”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry,” said the young countess hesitatingly. +“I wish I dared tell you more. But +I can explain nothing. Only I warn you to be +careful.”</p> + +<p>“Need we to fear the Frenchman, Monsieur +Duval?” Ruth asked thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>The countess was silent for a moment. Then +she said slowly, “You must fear him most of +all!” +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_123"></a>123</span> +<a id='chXII'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XII</p> +<p class='cln1'>MAUD REFUSES TO BE RESCUED</p> +</div> + + +<p>When the “Automobile Girls” chaperoned +by Miss Sallie, descended to the +hotel ball room that evening, where +a hop was in progress, the orchestra was playing +the “Blue Danube” and Maud and the +Count de Sonde were waltzing together. The +spectators seated along the wall smiled in spite +of themselves for the count’s style of dancing +was far from graceful. His idea of waltzing +consisted in whirling his partner round and +round, and as Maud was at least four inches +taller than the count and very thin, the effect +was indescribably ridiculous.</p> + +<p>“How absurd the count looks!” Bab exclaimed +to Ruth. “Just look at those high +heels and that strutting walk! Do you suppose +Maud Warren can really care for him?”</p> + +<p>“No; I don’t think she cares for him at all,” +Ruth returned. “It is the lure of his title that +has fascinated Maud. The title, ‘Count de +Sonde’ is like music in her ears.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think Mr. Warren would disinherit +Maud, if she married the count?” asked Bab.</p> + +<p>Ruth shook her head. “Mr. Warren gave +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span> +Maud half a million dollars in her own name +a year ago,” Ruth explained. “So, you see, +she is an heiress already. Besides, Mr. Warren +would never forsake Maud. He simply +adores her. I think he went off on that fishing +trip with father just to keep from seeing Maud +carry on. He thinks Aunt Sallie may be able +to influence her while he is gone. But do look +at Miss Sarah Stuart, Bab!”</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie swept down the ball-room floor +in a handsome black satin and jet evening gown, +with Mrs. De Lancey Smythe in her wake.</p> + +<p>There was the fire of battle in Miss Stuart’s +eye. On the widow’s cheeks burned two flaming +signals of wrath.</p> + +<p>“Maud Warren was left in my care by her +father, Mrs. Smythe,” declared Miss Sallie. +“In Mr. Warren’s absence I forbid Maud’s +going about unchaperoned with the Count de +Sonde.”</p> + +<p>“Miss Warren is not a child, Miss Stuart,” +replied Mrs. De Lancey Smythe angrily. “If +she chooses to go about with the count I hardly +see how you can prevent it. The Count de +Sonde is a noble, trustworthy young man.”</p> + +<p>“Miss Warren shall not go with him against +my wishes,” replied Miss Stuart quietly, “and +I fail to see how the matter can possibly interest +you.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span> +</p> + +<p>Mrs. De Lancey Smythe’s voice trembled +with rage. “You appear to be excessively +strict with Miss Warren, Miss Stuart,” she returned, +“yet you allow your niece and her +friends to associate, every day, with a woman +who is entirely unknown to you, a woman about +whom this entire hotel is talking.”</p> + +<p>“Whom do you mean?” Miss Sallie demanded. +She was exceedingly angry.</p> + +<p>“Mean?” Mrs. De Lancey Smythe laughed +mockingly. “I mean this so called Countess +Sophia von Stolberg. She is no more a countess +than I am. She is a fugitive and a swindler. +She will be arrested as soon as there is +sufficient evidence against her.”</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” had moved up close +to Miss Sallie. They waited to hear what she +would say in regard to the countess.</p> + +<p>“I do not believe the countess to be an impostor. +She is our friend,” replied Miss Stuart. +“I think we need have no further conversation. +Miss Warren will do as I request.” +Without answering the other woman moved +away with flashing eyes and set lips, leaving +Miss Sallie in triumphant possession of the situation.</p> + +<p>In a few moments Maud Warren came over +to where Miss Sallie and the “Automobile +Girls” were still standing. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span> +</p> + +<p>“Maud, won’t you come up to our room to-night +after the dance?” Ruth urged. “We +thought it would be jolly to make some fudge +in a chafing dish.”</p> + +<p>“Can you cook?” laughed Maud. “How +funny! It is awfully good of you to ask me to +join you, but I have another engagement for +this evening.”</p> + +<p>“Maud,” said Miss Sallie firmly, “your +father left you in my charge. I cannot permit +you to keep an engagement with the Count de +Sonde.”</p> + +<p>Maud was speechless with astonishment. No +one had ever forbidden her to do anything in +her life. Her father had always tried persuasion +and argument. Ruth’s eyes twinkled as +she saw the effect Miss Sallie’s firmness had +upon Maud. Greatly to her surprise Maud +Warren answered quite meekly: “Very well, +Miss Stuart. I will not see him if you do not +wish it.”</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” breathed a sigh of +relief. They had feared another battle between +Miss Sallie and Maud.</p> + +<p>“This is jolly!” exclaimed Maud Warren, +an hour later. The five girls were in Ruth’s +sitting-room. They were eating delicious +squares of warm chocolate fudge.</p> + +<p>“I am glad you are enjoying yourself,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span> +replied Ruth. “We would be glad to see you +often, but you always seem to be busy.”</p> + +<p>Maud tried to look unconscious. “It’s the +count’s fault. The poor fellow has a dreadful +crush on me,” she sighed.</p> + +<p>“Do you care for him?” asked Barbara +bluntly.</p> + +<p>Maud simpered. “I really don’t know,” she +replied. “I think the Count de Sonde has a +beautiful soul. He tells me I have a remarkable +mind—such sympathy, such understanding!”</p> + +<p>Ruth choked over a piece of fudge. The +other girls seemed to regard her accident as a +tremendous joke. Maud was entirely unconscious +that she had anything to do with their +merriment.</p> + +<p>“Then you really like the count very much!” +exclaimed Mollie, opening her pretty blue eyes +so wide that Maud was amused.</p> + +<p>“You dear little innocent thing!” returned +Miss Warren. “Of course I think the count +a very interesting man. I don’t deny he has +taken my fancy. But as for being in love with +him—well, that is another thing.”</p> + +<p>“Do you really know anything about the +count, Maud?” asked Ruth. “Your father +doesn’t approve of him, and don’t you think he +knows best?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span> +</p> + +<p>“Oh, father never approves of any of my +friends,” complained Maud Warren impatiently. +“But Mrs. De Lancey Smythe is on +my side. She likes the count.”</p> + +<p>“But do you know much about Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe?” Ruth went on.</p> + +<p>Maud was nettled. “Mrs. De Lancey Smythe +is a Virginian, and belongs to an old southern +family,” she returned.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” looked uncomfortable. +It was Ruth who finally spoke.</p> + +<p>“I hope you won’t be angry, Maud. It is +only because we like you that I am going to tell +you something you ought to know. Some one +told me to warn you to be careful.”</p> + +<p>“Careful about what?” cried Maud, though +her flushed face betrayed the answer she +expected.</p> + +<p>“The Count de Sonde,” replied Ruth.</p> + +<p>“But what have you heard against him?” demanded +Maud indignantly.</p> + +<p>It was Ruth’s turn to flush. What had she +heard? If only the countess had been a little +less vague in her accusations against the count.</p> + +<p>“I am afraid I don’t know anything very +definite to tell you,” Ruth confessed, in an +embarrassed tone. “Yet we have heard rumors +about the count. Foreign noblemen are often +fortune-hunters, you know.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> +</p> + +<p>“My dear Ruth, the Count de Sonde is not +in need of money,” protested Maud. “He is +very wealthy. Only the other day he showed +me a letter from his lawyer. It spoke of two +hundred thousand francs. It is true the letter +was written in French. But the count translated +it for me. And then, of course, I know a +little French myself.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, well,” sighed Ruth, “perhaps we have +no right to suspect him. But, Maud, I beg of +you to go slowly. You may be mistaken in the +count. Think how you would regret it if you +were to marry him and find afterwards that he +had deceived you.”</p> + +<p>“Marry the count!” Maud’s tones expressed +great astonishment, then she gave a satisfied +laugh. “Don’t worry about my affairs. The +count is a real nobleman,” she declared.</p> + +<p>A knock sounded at the door, and a bellboy +handed Ruth a note. It was addressed to Miss +Warren. Ruth gave it to her. Maud opened +it. A gratified smile overspread her face, then +turning to the “Automobile Girls” she said: +“Will you please excuse me, girls, I want to go +up to my room for a little while. I will be back +in a few minutes.”</p> + +<p>The girls ate their fudge in silence for a +time. Maud did not return.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if Maud is coming back?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> +remarked Barbara, after a little. “Somehow, I +am sorry for Maud. It must be dangerous to +be so rich and so silly at the same time.”</p> + +<p>“I am afraid Maud is hopeless,” Ruth contended. +“I don’t believe it is going to do the +slightest good for us to warn her against the +count. I wonder if we could manage to save +her in any other way?”</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie came into the room. “Where is +Maud Warren?” she demanded immediately.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” could only explain +Maud had gone to her room.</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie rang the bell, and sent a maid to +inquire for Maud.</p> + +<p>The answer came back a few moments later. +“Miss Warren had left the hotel for the evening +with several friends.”</p> + +<p>Miss Stuart said nothing. But the “Automobile +Girls” knew Miss Sallie would never +forgive Maud Warren for her disobedience.</p> + +<p>The four girls were almost ready to say good +night, when another light tap sounded at their +door.</p> + +<p>The girls lowered their voices. Perhaps +Maud had lost heart, and had returned to them +after all.</p> + +<p>Barbara went to the door. It was Marian +De Lancey Smythe who had knocked. She +wished to speak with Bab for a moment. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span> +</p> + +<p>Five minutes later Barbara returned to her +friends, looking considerably mystified.</p> + +<p>“Now, Barbara Thurston, what did Marian +Smythe have to say to you?” demanded Mollie. +“It is not fair, your having secrets with her +from the rest of us.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Marian asked me if we were going to +the countess’s to dinner to-morrow night,” Bab +replied.</p> + +<p>“What a strange question!” exclaimed Grace +Carter. “I don’t see why she should care +where we go to dinner.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps she had some plan or other on +hand herself that she wanted us to take part +in,” suggested Mollie.</p> + +<p>Bab was silent.</p> + +<p>“By the way,” exclaimed Ruth, “did you +know I received a letter to-day from darling +Olive Prescott? She and Jack have arrived in +Paris, and have set up housekeeping in the dearest +little flat in the Rue de Varennes. They +live on the top floor, and Jack has the front +room for his studio. Of course Olive declares +Jack is the best husband in the world. He is +painting Olive’s portrait for the Paris Salon, +and working desperately hard so as to have it +finished by April. Come, let’s go to bed.”</p> + +<p>Just as Barbara was dropping off to sleep +Ruth gave her a little shake. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span> +</p> + +<p>“Tell me Barbara Thurston, what Marian De +Lancey Smythe said to you in the hall!”</p> + +<p>“I told you, child,” murmured Bab hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>“Honor bright, did you tell us everything, +Bab Thurston?”</p> + +<p>“No-o-o, not everything,” admitted Bab. +“This is exactly what Marian said: ‘Barbara +are you going to dine with the countess to-morrow +night?’ ‘Yes,’ I replied. Then she said: +‘You had better not go. But if you do go, come +home early, and don’t ask me the reason, why.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll go, sure as fate!” exclaimed Ruth. +“No matter what Marian says.”</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chXIII'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XIII</p> +<p class='cln1'>A SURPRISE PARTY</p> +</div> + + +<p>It had been a long day of uninterrupted +pleasure for the “Automobile Girls”—one +of those sparkling, brilliant days that +seem to belong peculiarly to Florida in the early +spring.</p> + +<p>All morning the girls had cruised around the +lake in a launch. Later in the day they had +bathed in the salt water of the Atlantic. After +luncheon they had played several sets of tennis; +and, later Miss Sallie had taken them to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span> +the cocoanut grove to drink lemonade and listen +to the music.</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie had not spoken either to Maud +Warren or to Mrs. De Lancey Smythe since the +evening before. The two women had carefully +avoided Miss Stuart. Once inside the cocoanut +grove Bab’s sharp eyes soon discovered Maud, +Mrs. Smythe and Marian seated at a table concealed +by an enormous cluster of palms. They +were deep in conversation. Mrs. Smythe was +pouring wholesale flattery into Maud’s ears to +which the foolish girl was listening eagerly.</p> + +<p>Marian espied Barbara and came over to +greet Miss Sallie and the “Automobile Girls.” +She knew nothing of her mother’s difficulty with +Miss Sallie.</p> + +<p>“Marian,” whispered Bab, as her new friend +sat down next to her, “why did you wish to +know whether we were going to the countess’s +to dinner to-night?”</p> + +<p>“Why do you ask?” said Marian, looking a +little frightened.</p> + +<p>“Why it sounded to me as though you must +have a reason for what you said,” argued Bab. +“Were you trying to warn me about anything? +Or, is it simply that you do not like the countess?”</p> + +<p>“I think the countess is very fascinating,” +was Marian’s only reply. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span> +</p> + +<p>“Won’t you even tell me why you told us to +come home early if we did go?” persisted Barbara.</p> + +<p>Marian gave a forced laugh. “Oh, I was only +giving you a little good advice about sitting up +late. But just the same, I’m a very wise person +and you had better take my advice.”</p> + +<p>“What are you two girls whispering about?” +asked Ruth gayly. “Never have secrets from +your little friends. It hurts their feelings, +dreadfully.”</p> + +<p>“We aren’t having secrets,” responded Barbara. +“That is not exactly. I’m only trying +to persuade Marian to tell me something. But +she’s a regular Sphinx.”</p> + +<p>“Which would you rather be, a Sphinx or a +chatterbox?” inquired Marian. “And if you +would, why would you, and if thus, why, therefore +and whereupon?”</p> + +<p>“Fine!” exclaimed Ruth. “I never dreamed +you could reel off nonsense like that, Marian.”</p> + +<p>Marian laughed then rising said, “I suppose +I shall have to go back to Mama. I only came +over for a minute.” Her eyes again met Barbara’s, +and she shook her head slightly, then +nodding good-bye to the girls she crossed over +to where her mother was still conversing with +Maud.</p> + +<p>“Why did she shake her head at you, Bab?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span> +</p> + +<p>“She says again that we must come home +early from the villa, to-night, but she won’t tell +me why,” replied Bab. “She evidently knows +something that we don’t. She was even more +mysterious to-day than she was last night. Do +you think we had better go?”</p> + +<p>“Go! Of course we will,” cried Ruth. “I +don’t believe Marian has anything very serious +on her mind.”</p> + +<p>“Really, children,” interposed Miss Sallie in +an annoyed tone, “if you begin to conjure up +mystery over so simple a matter as a dinner invitation +I shall feel obliged to keep you all at +home. One would think I was chaperoning a +party of young sleuths, instead of four normal +girls out for a holiday.”</p> + +<p>This remark was received with discreet silence, +on the part of the four girls, and whatever +their thoughts on Marian’s warning were +they sternly repressed uttering them aloud during +the remainder of the time spent in the grove.</p> + +<p style="font-size:smaller"> </p> + +<p>At eight o’clock that night Miss Sallie and +the “Automobile Girls” were seated about the +countess’s table with only their hostess and her +chaperon. There were no other guests at dinner.</p> + +<p>“How delightful not to be bored by stupid +men!” exclaimed the countess, smiling at her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> +circle of guests. “And what a charming picture +the young girls make, Madame de Villiers, +do they not? There is not a black coat in our +midst to mar the effect of our pretty light +frocks. Let me see, Miss Stuart wears violet, +dear Madame, gray. And the ‘Automobile +Girls’ might represent the four seasons. Ruth, +you may be Spring, in your pale green silk +frock; little Mollie will have to play Summer +in her corn colored gown; Bab’s scarlet frock +makes me think of October; and Grace is our +Snow Maiden in her white frock.”</p> + +<p>The countess wore a beautiful gown of white +messaline. Her exquisite face was radiant with +child-like pleasure. During the dinner the +room rang with her gay laughter. She had +never seemed so young, so gracious, and so innocent +as she appeared to the “Automobile +Girls” that night.</p> + +<p>At each plate the countess herself had placed +a small bunch of freesias, whose delicate perfume +filled the room.</p> + +<p>“They are my favorite flowers,” the hostess +explained gently, “because they remind me of +my beloved Italy.”</p> + +<p>At the close of dinner a bowl of bon-bons +was passed around the table. There was a +good deal of noise and confusion. The girls +popped the crackers, drew out the mottoes and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span> +read them, and decorated themselves with the +fancy paper caps. They were too absorbed in +their own pleasure to think, or hear, or see, +anything that might have been taking place outside +the dining-room. Madame de Villiers, a +military cap on her gray hair, looked as fierce +and terrifying as a seasoned warrior.</p> + +<p>Dinner over, the countess led the way into +her drawing-room, where the laughter and gayety +continued. Madame de Villiers played brilliantly +on the piano. The young people danced +until they were exhausted. Suddenly the young +countess caught her train up over her arm, and +ran out into the centre of the floor. At a nod +from her, Madame de Villiers began to play +the wild, passionate music of the Russian +Mazurka. Then the countess danced. Again +and again she went through the intricate and +dramatic figures. Her audience was spellbound. +No one noted the flight of time.</p> + +<p>Finally Bab whispered to Ruth: “Don’t you +think we had better go upstairs for our wraps? +It is growing late.” The two girls slipped +quietly away without a word.</p> + +<p>Ascending the stairs to the countess’s sleeping +room they gathered their arms full of evening +coats and scarfs. On a little balcony just +outside the window of the sleeping room +crouched the figure of a man. His keen eyes +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span> +watched Bab and Ruth intently as they made +ready to leave the room and join their friends +downstairs, entirely unconscious of the figure +hiding so near to them.</p> + +<p>On the first landing of the stairs, Bab +stopped. Ruth was ahead.</p> + +<p>“Go on, Ruth,” Barbara called down to her. +“I have left my handkerchief on the dressing +table. I will be with you in a minute.”</p> + +<p>Bab ran quickly back to the room she had just +left. Her soft satin slippers made no sound +on the floor. It was almost impossible to hear +her approach.</p> + +<p>Bab paused at the half-open door of the bedchamber +in horrified surprise. Inside the room +that she and Ruth had just left a man bent over +the countess’s desk. Her Russian leather writing-case +was wide open. The man was running +through her papers with a practised hand.</p> + +<p>Bab could have turned and run downstairs +again. The intruder would never have heard +her. But, although Barbara shook with fear +for a moment, she placed her wraps softly on +the floor and stepped noiselessly back into the +room. The man was still unaware of her presence. +Bab’s eyes roved about the room in +search of a weapon. Her hand resting for an instant +on the dressing table, came in touch with +something metallic and cold. It was a silver +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span> +shoe horn, but Barbara gripped it eagerly, then +she fastened her gaze upon the intruder. He +was an old man with a shock of gray hair and +a thick beard, that partially concealed the outline +of his face. His lips were drawn back until +his teeth showed and in his bent attitude he +reminded Bab of a gigantic ape. Under the concentration +of her gaze the strange apparition +looked up and saw her as she stood unflinching, +watching with alert eyes his slightest movement. +Without uttering a sound the man began to +move slowly toward her, his fierce eyes never +for a moment leaving her face.</p> + +<p>“What are you doing here?” Bab demanded +bravely. “You are a thief!”</p> + +<p>Instead of running away from him the girl +started toward the man. As she did so she +raised the shoe horn and pointed it at him. Had +the light in the room not been turned low he +must have discovered the trick. As it was the +faint light, glinting on the polished metal gave +it the appearance of a revolver. The ape-like +figure began backing slowly toward the balcony. +At the window he paused, as if debating +whether he dared take the chance of leaping +upon her. Bab settled the question for him +by making a threatening move with the supposed +weapon. The thief whirled, sprang out +on the balcony and dropped to the ground. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span> +</p> + +<p>Barbara ran to the window. She saw that he +had disappeared, then the room began to whirl +about her. She thought she was going to faint, +for she felt her strength rapidly leaving her.</p> + +<p>With a great effort she threw off the weakness +that was overcoming her and looked out +across the lawn.</p> + +<p>During the early part of the evening a large +motor boat cruiser, after having put her owner +ashore at Palm Beach had dropped down and +come to anchor for the night hard by the boathouse +belonging to the villa occupied by Countess +Sophia. Lights were twinkling from the +port holes of the boat and her anchor light +swayed listlessly at the stern. There were no +other signs of life aboard the boat on the bow +of which one at close range might have made +out the word “Restless” in raised gold letters.</p> + +<p>Barbara wondered if their terrible visitor had +come from the boat lying there quietly on the +moonlit waters.</p> + +<p>Just then the buzz of excited voices was +borne to her ears. She heard the Countess Sophia’s +clear tones, then an excited little scream, +mingled with the deep voice of Madame de Villiers +raised in angry expostulation.</p> + +<p>Still gripping her shoe horn Bab raced down +the stairs, and parted the portières that hung +between the drawing room and hall. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span> +</p> + +<p>What she saw was like the tableau from a +melodrama. Crowded close to the piano stood +the Countess Sophia, while directly in front of +her stood Madame de Villiers, thoroughly enraged +and brandishing her gold-headed cane at +two men who seemed about to seize the young +countess. Clustered in a frightened group at +one side of the room stood Miss Stuart, Mollie +and Grace. Ruth was nowhere to be seen.</p> + +<p>One of the men made a sudden stealthy +move toward the countess.</p> + +<p>“Stand back,” commanded Madame de Villiers.</p> + +<p>Just then Ruth’s clear tones were heard outside +the villa. “They’re in that room! Oh, +hurry please!”</p> + +<p>There was a sound of running feet and into +the room darted two young men clad in white +yachting clothes, and wearing officers’ caps.</p> + +<p>“We’re just in time,” called one of the newcomers. +“This is something in our line of +sport. Stand aside, girls. We’ll soon have +these fellows on the run.”</p> + +<p>With this he grasped one of the men by the +collar and dragging him to the open hall door, +picked him up and threw him off the veranda +onto the drive where he landed with a thud. +A moment later his companion had disposed of +the other offender in like manner. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span> +</p> + +<p>“Watch them, Joe,” ordered the taller of the +two yachtsmen. “If they try to enter the house +again, call me. I guess we can give them all +they’re looking for. I’m going inside to see if +there are any more rascals who need attention.”</p> + +<p>“Oh you brave boys!” exclaimed Madame de +Villiers as the young man entered the drawing-room +where the women were huddled together +talking excitedly.</p> + +<p>“I think the credit belongs to the young +woman who had the presence of mind to go for +help,” smiled the youth, bowing to Ruth.</p> + +<p>“I had to do something!” exclaimed Ruth. +“I saw your boat early in the evening, and when +those two men came in here and began threatening +the countess I felt that the only thing +to do was to see if some one on the yacht would +help us.”</p> + +<p>“Did you see the other man?” asked Barbara +anxiously. “He was old and white-haired +and looked exactly like an ape. He was upstairs +on the balcony, while I was in the countess’s +room getting our wraps. Then I forgot +my handkerchief. When I went back for it he +was in the room. I frightened him away with +a shoe horn. He thought it was a revolver. He +dropped to the ground from the balcony and +ran towards the yacht. I thought perhaps he +belonged on the boat.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span> +</p> + +<p>“Not with us,” declared the yachtsman. +“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Captain +Tom Halstead and my friend out there on the +veranda, is Joseph Dawson, engineer of the +motor yacht ‘Restless’ which lies at anchor +just off the shore. We belong to the ‘Motor +Boat Club’ boys, but I doubt if you have ever +heard of us before.”</p> + +<p>Although Tom Halstead and Joe Dawson +were strangers to the “Automobile Girls” they +are well known to the majority of our readers. +Born and brought up on the Maine coast the +ocean was their play ground from early boyhood +and their fondness for the sea led them +to later perfect themselves in the handling of +motor boats. These two youths with a number +of other sturdy young men comprised the +famous club of young yacht skippers and engineers, +organized by a Boston broker and headed +by Halstead as fleet captain, with Dawson as +fleet engineer.</p> + +<p>The reason for the appearance of the yacht +“Restless” at this particular place and time is +set forth in “<span class='sc'>The Motor Boat Club in Florida</span>,” +the fifth volume of the “<span class='sc'>Motor Boat +Club Series</span>.” That the two young men had +responded instantly to Ruth’s call for help was +in itself the best proof of the manliness and +courage of the “Motor Boat” boys. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span> +</p> + +<p>The countess who in the meantime had recovered +from the first shock of the recent disturbance +now presented Miss Stuart, Madame +de Villiers and the “Automobile Girls” to Tom +Halstead. A moment later Joe Dawson entered +the room, and more introductions followed.</p> + +<p>“Well, they’ve gone,” declared Dawson. +“They picked themselves up very slowly and +painfully and fairly slunk down the drive. I +don’t imagine they will trouble you again to-night. +However we’d better appoint ourselves +as special watchmen about the grounds until +morning. I do not wish to seem inquisitive but +was the motive of these rascals common robbery?”</p> + +<p>“The men did not wish money,” replied the +countess slowly. “They wished to steal a certain +paper I have in my possession in order to +destroy it. That is why the old man was +searching my writing case. But he did not find +the paper, for I carry it about my person. Forgive +me for being so mysterious, and believe +that my reason for secrecy is one of grave importance.”</p> + +<p>“There is nothing to forgive, Madam,” replied +Captain Halstead courteously. “We are +only too glad to have been of service to you and +beg that you will continue to accept our services +at least until to-morrow. Then I would advise +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span> +you to procure a special officer to remain at +the villa in case you should be annoyed further +by these villains.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” exclaimed the countess, with +evident agitation. “I hardly think we shall be +troubled again. I do not wish an officer to come +here.”</p> + +<p>“We must return to the hotel, Countess,” +said Miss Stuart. “It is growing late and my +brother will become uneasy about us.”</p> + +<p>This time the women were assisted with their +cloaks by the “Motor Boat” boys and no startling +interruption occurred. Ruth ran down the +drive a little ahead of the party to where her +automobile stood. Then she uttered a sudden +cry of dismay. All four tires had been cut.</p> + +<p>“Oh the rascals!” she exclaimed. “How +dared they do such a contemptible thing? +We’ll have to go back to the villa and telephone +for another car. Father will be so worried!”</p> + +<p>An indignant babble of feminine voices ensued +broken by the deeper tones of the two +young men as the party turned to go back to +the villa.</p> + +<p>Just then a familiar sound was borne to their +ears. It was the chug! chug! of a rapidly approaching +automobile. A moment later the car +rolled up the drive. “It’s Father!” Ruth exclaimed. +“Oh, I’m so glad.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span> +</p> + +<p>“What seems to be the trouble, Sallie?” +queried Mr. Stuart, springing from the car. +“It’s after midnight. I grew worried when +you didn’t return to the hotel at eleven, so decided +I had better come out after you. I rather +think we exceeded the speed limit too,” he +laughed, turning to the chauffeur.</p> + +<p>Then Ruth burst forth with an excited account +of the night’s adventure. Mr. Stuart +looked grave. “I shall send you an officer in +the morning, Countess,” he said.</p> + +<p>“These are the two young men who came so +gallantly to our rescue, Mr. Stuart,” said the +countess, turning to the “Motor Boat” boys +who stood modestly in the background.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart shook hands with both young men, +thanking them for their prompt response to +the call for help. “We should be pleased to +have you dine with us to-morrow evening,” he +said.</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” responded the young captain, +“but we shall weigh anchor in the morning.”</p> + +<p>After bidding farewell to the two young men +and good night to Madame de Villiers and the +Countess Sophia, the “Automobile Girls” and +Miss Sallie stepped into the car in which Mr. +Stuart had driven to the villa.</p> + +<p>“I’ll send a man out to put that other car in +shape to-morrow,” he said to Ruth as they sped +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> +down the drive. “But, hereafter when this +valiant band, known as the ‘Automobile Girls’ +pays a visit to the Countess Sophia I shall insist +upon accompanying them whether or not I +am invited.”</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chXIV'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XIV</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE PLOT THICKENS</p> +</div> + + +<p>Maud Warren apologized to Miss Sallie. +Mr. Warren had been greatly +displeased when he heard of his +daughter’s disobedience, and had reprimanded +her in such severe terms, that she anxiously endeavored +to conciliate Miss Stuart at the earliest +opportunity. Miss Sallie, however received +her effusive apology very coldly, and it was +some time before Maud felt in the least comfortable +in her society.</p> + +<p>One evening soon after the eventful dinner +with the countess, the “Automobile Girls” +started out for a moonlight stroll accompanied +by Miss Stuart, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Warren and +Maud. Just as they were leaving the hotel +Marian Smythe appeared on the veranda and +was asked to join them.</p> + +<p>“Where have you been keeping yourself, +Marian?” asked Ruth. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span> +</p> + +<p>Marian flushed.</p> + +<p>“I’ve been very busy,” she said hastily. +Then as if anxious to change the subject: +“Have you been to the countess’s villa lately?”</p> + +<p>“No,” replied Ruth quickly. “Not since the +dinner there. Have you heard anything about +her?”</p> + +<p>“No,” answered Marian shortly, and relapsed +into moody silence.</p> + +<p>As they strolled leisurely along Barbara who +had been walking ahead with Miss Stuart, +dropped behind with Marian.</p> + +<p>“I want to ask you something, Marian,” she +began.</p> + +<p>“Little girls should never ask questions,” +said Marian lightly, but Barbara felt that her +apparent unconcern was forced.</p> + +<p>“Have you heard about what happened at +the villa the night we dined there?” persisted +Bab.</p> + +<p>“I have heard something about it,” admitted +Marian, in a low voice. “It was an attempt +to rob the countess, was it not?”</p> + +<p>“You could hardly call it robbery,” replied +Barbara. “The men took nothing. But they +acted in a very mysterious manner, and there +was one perfectly hideous old man who was a +real burglar for I caught him going through the +things in the countess’s sleeping room, when I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span> +went up stairs after our wraps. I drove him +from the room.”</p> + +<p>“How did you ever do it, Bab?” asked +Marian. There was an expression of absolute +terror in her eyes.</p> + +<p>“You’ll laugh when I tell you,” replied Bab. +“I drove him away with a shoe horn.”</p> + +<p>“A shoe horn?” repeated Marian questioningly. +“I don’t understand.”</p> + +<p>“He thought from the way I held it that I +had a revolver in my hand,” explained Barbara. +“You see it was silver and as the light +in the room was turned low it looked like polished +steel. At any rate it answered the purpose.”</p> + +<p>“You are very brave, Bab,” said Marian admiringly. +“Considering the man with whom +you had to deal you showed wonderful courage.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean, Marian, by ‘the man +with whom I had to deal’? Who is that frightful +old man?” asked Barbara, looking searchingly +at the other girl. “Why did you warn +us not to dine with the countess? Did you know +what was to happen? You must tell me, +Marian, for I must know. If the countess or +any of us is in danger it is your duty to tell +me. Can’t you trust me with your secret, +Marian?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span> +</p> + +<p>Marian shook her head. Her lip quivered, +and her eyes filled with tears.</p> + +<p>Barbara waited patiently for her to regain +her self-control.</p> + +<p>“Bab,” she said in a choked voice. “I can’t +answer your questions. I dare not. I am a miserable +victim of circumstances, and all I can say +is that your danger is in being friendly with +the countess. She has an enemy who will stop +at nothing to gain his own end, and he will +crush you, too, if you stand in his way.”</p> + +<p>“Tell me, Marian,” said Bab eagerly. “Do +you know anything about the countess?”</p> + +<p>“Very little,” was the reply, “and that little +I may not tell. But this I promise you, that no +matter what may be the consequences to myself, +I will warn you in time should any special +danger threaten you girls or her. That is, if I +have the slightest opportunity to do so.”</p> + +<p>Marian stretched out her hand and Bab +clasped it. “Thank you, dear Marian,” she +said. “I know you will keep your word.”</p> + +<p>After an hour’s stroll the party repaired to +the hotel veranda, where ices and cakes were +served to them. Every one, with the exception +of Maud Warren, was in high good humor. +Even Marian emerged from the gloom that had +enveloped her earlier in the evening, laughing +and talking merrily with the “Automobile +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span> +Girls.” Maud, however was in a distinctly rebellious +state of mind. During their walk they +had encountered the Count de Sonde and Monsieur +Duval, and although Mr. Stuart and Mr. +Warren had exchanged polite civilities with the +two Frenchmen, they had not invited them to +join the party. While Maud, still smarting inwardly +from her father’s recent sharp censure, +had not dared to brave Mr. Warren’s certain +anger by doing so. Her only means of retaliation +lay in sulking, and this she did in the most +approved fashion, refusing to take part in the +conversation, and answering in monosyllables +when addressed. Ruth and Barbara vainly +tried to charm away her sulks by paying her +special attention, but she merely curled her lip +scornfully, and left the veranda soon after on +plea of headache. Mr. Warren sighed heavily +as he looked after her retreating figure, but +made no comment. Yet his friends knew instinctively +what was passing in his mind, and +the “Automobile Girls” solemnly vowed each +in her own heart to watch over Maud and save +her if possible from the schemes of fortune-hunting +nobility.</p> + +<p>“Is there anything more perfect than this +Florida moonlight!” asked Ruth, during a lull +in the conversation, as she leaned back in her +chair and gazed with half closed eyes at the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span> +silvery tropical world before her. “Positively, +I could sit out here all night!”</p> + +<p>“It looks as though we were in a fair way +to do so,” replied her father, glancing at his +watch. “Half-past eleven. Time all children +were in bed.”</p> + +<p>“Really, Robert, I had no idea it was so late,” +said Miss Sallie, stifling a yawn. “I believe I +am sleepy. Come, girls, it is time for us to +retire.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Aunt Sallie!” exclaimed Ruth. “How +can you be so cruel?”</p> + +<p>“‘I must be cruel to be kind,’” quoted Miss +Stuart. “If I allow you to moon out here until +unseasonable hours, you will never get +started on your picnic to-morrow, at seasonable +ones.”</p> + +<p>“She speaks the truth,” said Ruth dramatically, +“I will arise and hie me to the hay, for +come what may, I swear that I will picnic with +the rosy morn.”</p> + +<p>“I thought you were going to picnic with +us,” said Grace flippantly.</p> + +<p>“So I am,” replied Ruth calmly. “That +statement was mere poetical license.”</p> + +<p>“First find your poet,” said Bab slyly.</p> + +<p>Whereupon there was a chorus of giggles at +Ruth’s expense, in which she good-naturedly +joined. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span> +</p> + +<p>“I’m really more tired than I thought I was,” +she yawned, a few moments later as she sat +curled up in a big chair in the room adjoining +Miss Stuart’s which she and Barbara occupied.</p> + +<p>“I’m tired and sleepy, too,” responded Barbara. +“It’s almost midnight. We’ll never +get up early to-morrow morning. Oh, dear!” +she exclaimed a second later, “I’ve left my +pink scarf down on the veranda. It’s hanging +over the back of the chair I sat in. I’ll go +down this minute and get it, before any one has +had time to see it or take it away.”</p> + +<p>Suiting the action to the word Bab hurried +out of the room, and along the corridor. She +did not stop for an elevator but ran lightly +down the two flights of stairs and out to the +veranda. It was but the work of a moment to +secure her scarf, which hung over the back of +the chair, just as she had left it. The veranda +was deserted except for a group of three people +who stood at the far end in the shadow. +Their backs were toward Bab and they were +talking earnestly in low voices. Barbara stood +petrified with astonishment, scarcely able to believe +the evidence of her own eyes, for the +group consisted of Monsieur Duval, Mrs. De +Lancey Smythe and—enveloped in the pale blue +broadcloth cloak Bab had often seen her wear +was the Countess Sophia. +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_154"></a>154</span> +<a id='chXV'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XV</p> +<p class='cln1'>CAUGHT NAPPING</p> +</div> + + +<p>The following morning Barbara awoke +with the feeling of one who has experienced +a disagreeable dream. Was it a +trick of her imagination, or had she really seen +their beautiful young countess deep in conversation +with Monsieur Duval and Mrs. De Lancey Smythe? +True Bab had not seen her face, +but her height, and carriage—the blue cloak—were +unmistakable.</p> + +<p>On her return to their room Bab had not +mentioned her unpleasant discovery to Ruth. +She could not bear to voice any actual charge +against the Countess Sophia. “Perhaps it will +all be explained yet,” she told herself, and with +a wisdom far beyond her years, she resolved to +be silent, at least for the present, about what +she had seen.</p> + +<p>When the launch which Mr. Stuart had chartered, +with its freight of picnickers, had put out +from shore and headed for the villa, where they +were to pick up the countess and Madame de +Villiers, Barbara had loyally decided to let not +even the evidence of her own eyes sway her +into condemning the countess unheard. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> +</p> + +<p>On their arrival at the villa they found the +countess and Madame de Villiers ready and +waiting for them, and the sailing party was +soon comfortably seated in the roomy launch. +Madame de Villiers occupied a wicker chair +opposite Miss Sallie, while the young countess +and the “Automobile Girls” had stretched a +steamer rug over the roof of the small cabin, +and lay upon it in picturesque attitudes under +their sunshades.</p> + +<p>There was a churning of the propeller, a +shrill toot from the whistle, and the launch +glided out over the water as smoothly as a +canoe rides down stream.</p> + +<p>“We’re off!” cried Mr. Stuart joyously.</p> + +<p>“I believe you are just a great boy still, Robert,” +smiled Miss Sallie indulgently.</p> + +<p>The day’s excursion had been arranged by +Mr. Stuart. He was an enthusiastic fisherman, +and on his return from the fishing expedition +with Mr. Warren he at once began to plan a +similar excursion for the “Automobile Girls,” +extending his invitation to the countess and +Madame de Villiers.</p> + +<p>It was an ideal day for a picnic. The sun +shone brilliantly down on Palm Beach, making +it look like an enchanted land. The bathers +were out in full force. A little farther up the +beach countless flower-trimmed hats and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span> +many-hued parasols made gorgeous blots of color +along the white sands. Overhead the sky was +an intense blue, and the water reflected the blueness +in its depths.</p> + +<p>“You can never understand how happy this +makes me,” declared the countess, bestowing +an enchanting smile upon the little company. +“Mr. Stuart, we thank you for the many pleasures +you have given Cousine and me. Someday +I hope I may be able to do something for +you.”</p> + +<p>“Wait until the picnic is over before you +thank me, Countess,” replied her host. “The +fishing may bore you, especially if the fish don’t +bite.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, well,” laughed the countess, “I could +fish patiently all day, under a sky like this without +complaining, if I were to catch nothing but +a minnow.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart’s fishing party had made an early +start. They were to land some miles up the +coast, where those who were not of a mind to +fish could make themselves comfortable on +shore.</p> + +<p>The journey was not a short one. It was +well past eleven o’clock when they landed on a +hard shell beach, broken here and there by +patches of marsh grass.</p> + +<p>“You are especially privileged to be allowed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span> +to set foot on these shores,” Mr. Stuart assured +his guests, as he handed them out of the +launch. “The location of this place has been +kept a secret; otherwise it would be overrun +with tourists and excursionists.”</p> + +<p>“Is it so beautiful?” Ruth inquired.</p> + +<p>“Wait until you see it!” was Mr. Stuart’s +reply.</p> + +<p>The beach sloped upward so as to form a wall +that completely hid the land behind it from +view.</p> + +<p>Ruth and Barbara ran on ahead.</p> + +<p>“Oh, Father,” cried Ruth excitedly. “This +is a surprise!”</p> + +<p>The two girls were looking down into a beautiful +little dell. It was like a tiny oasis, with +a sand wall on one side of it, and a mass of +palmettoes, oak trees and cocoanut palms encircling +it on the other three sides. The ground +was carpeted thickly with violets. Yellow jasmine +and elder flowers gleamed through the +foliage. The branches of the oak trees were +draped with gray Spanish moss, which made +quite a sombre background for the gay tropical +scene.</p> + +<p>“This is to be your drawing-room and dining-room, +Madame,” declared Mr. Stuart, as he +helped Madame de Villiers over the sandy hillock. +“You may do whatever you like here. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> +You may pull the violets, or walk on them. +There are no park rules.”</p> + +<p>“Was there ever such a place in the world!” +exclaimed Countess Sophia. “I shall not leave +it until we sail for home. The most wonderful +of sea trout could not lure me from this enchanting +spot.”</p> + +<p>“We shall stay here, too,” agreed Mollie and +Grace. “I would rather gather violets than +catch gold fish,” Mollie assured Mr. Stuart.</p> + +<p>The wicker chairs were brought from the +launch, so that Madame de Villiers and Aunt +Sallie could be comfortable in their sylvan retreat. +Ruth and Barbara went off with Mr. +Stuart on the quest for fish, while the young +countess, Mollie and Grace gathered wild flowers +and made wreaths of the sweet-smelling yellow +jasmine.</p> + +<p>Grace ran with her crown of wild jasmine +and placed it on Miss Sallie’s soft white hair. +The countess placed her wreath on Madame de +Villiers’s head.</p> + +<div> +<p style='margin:0 auto 0 4ex'>“Oh, happy day, Oh, day so dear!”</p> +</div> + +<p>sang Countess Sophia as she stuck one of the +beautiful yellow flowers into her dark hair and +danced with Mollie over the sands.</p> + +<p>It was a happy day indeed—one that the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span> +little party would never forget! Mysteries and +unanswered questions were banished. Even +Bab forgot for the time being all disquieting +thoughts. The lovely young countess, with her +eyes full of an appealing tenderness, had driven +away all ugly suspicion.</p> + +<p>Several hours later the fishing party returned.</p> + +<p>“See what we’ve got!” Ruth exclaimed +proudly, as she ran up the sand hill flourishing +a string of speckled sea trout.</p> + +<p>“Miss am sho a lucky fisherman,” agreed the +old colored man in whose boat Mr. Stuart and +the two girls had been fishing.</p> + +<p>“But where are your fish, Barbara?” Grace +inquired.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart laughed. “Bab is the unluckiest +fisherman that ever threw out a line,” he explained. +“Shall I tell them, Bab?”</p> + +<p>Barbara flushed. “Oh, go ahead,” she consented.</p> + +<p>“Well,” Mr. Stuart continued, “Miss Barbara +Thurston caught a tarpon a yard long this +morning.”</p> + +<p>“Where is it?” cried the waiting audience.</p> + +<p>“Back in the sea, whence it came, and it nearly +took Mistress Bab along with it,” Mr. Stuart +answered. “When Barbara caught her tarpon, +she began reeling in her line as fast as she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span> +could. But the tarpon was too heavy for it, +and the line broke. Then Bab prepared to dive +into the ocean after her fish.”</p> + +<p>“I was so excited I forgot I did not have +on my bathing suit,” Bab explained. “I +thought, if I could just dive down into the +water, I could catch my tarpon, and then Mr. +Stuart could pull us both back into the boat.”</p> + +<p>“Reckless, Barbara!” cried Miss Stuart. +“What will you do next!”</p> + +<p>“Don’t scold, Aunt Sallie,” Ruth begged. +“It was too funny, and Father and I caught hold +of Bab’s skirts before she jumped. Then old +Jim, the colored man, got the fish. So we had +a good look at him without Bab’s drowning herself. +But when we found that the catch was a +tarpon, and not good to eat, Father flung it back +in the water.”</p> + +<p>While Mr. Stuart and the girls were talking, +Jim and the engineer from the launch built a +fire. They were soon at work frying the fish +for luncheon.</p> + +<p>Nobody noticed that a small naphtha launch +had been creeping cautiously along the coast. +It was sheltered from view by the bank of sand. +And it managed to hide itself in a little inlet +about a quarter of a mile away from Mr. Stuart’s +larger boat.</p> + +<p>After a hearty luncheon no one had much to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span> +say. The “Automobile Girls” were unusually +silent. Finally they confessed to being dreadfully +sleepy. There is something in the soft +air of Florida that compels drowsiness. Miss +Sallie and Madame de Villiers nodded in their +chairs. Mr. Stuart, the countess and the four +girls stretched themselves on the warm sand. +Jim slept under the lea of his small fishing boat, +and the engineer of the launch went to sleep +on the sand not far from the water’s edge.</p> + +<p>For nearly an hour the entire party slumbered. +All at once Mr. Stuart awoke with a +feeling that something had happened. He +rubbed his eyes, then counted the girls and his +guests. Miss Sallie was safe under the shadow +of her parasol, which had been fixed over her +head. Madame de Villiers sat nodding in her +chair.</p> + +<p>The afternoon shadows had begun to +lengthen; a fresh breeze was stirring the leaves +of the palm trees. But, except for the occasional +call of a mocking bird, not a sound could +be heard.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart waited. Did he not hear a faint +noise coming from the direction of his launch. +“The engineer has probably gone aboard!” +Mr. Stuart thought.</p> + +<p>“It is high time we were leaving for home,” +said he to himself. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> +</p> + +<p>But as he stepped to the edge of the embankment +he saw his engineer still lying on the +ground sleeping soundly.</p> + +<p>A small boat like a black speck disappeared +around a curve in the shore.</p> + +<p>“What on earth does that mean?” cried Mr. +Stuart. Leaping over the sandy wall he ran toward +his engineer. Mr. Stuart shook him +gently. The man opened his eyes drowsily, +yawned then raising himself to a sitting position, +looked stupidly about.</p> + +<p>“A strange boat has just put out from here,” +said Mr. Stuart quietly. “We had better go +out to the launch and see if all is well.”</p> + +<p>The engineer rose to his feet, and still stupid +from his heavy sleep, followed Mr. Stuart to +the dinghy. The sound of voices aroused old +Jim who clambered to his feet blinking rapidly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart and the engineer pushed off toward +the launch, each feeling that he was about +to come upon something irregular. Their +premonitions proved wholly correct. The engine +room of the pretty craft was a total wreck. +The machinery had been taken apart so deftly, +it seemed as though an engineer alone could +have accomplished it, while the most important +parts of the engine were missing.</p> + +<p>“Whose work is this?” ejaculated Mr. Stuart, +clenching his fists in impotent rage. Suddenly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span> +it dawned upon him what the wrecking of his +launch meant. He was on an uninhabited shore +with seven women, his engineer, and colored +servant, with no prospect of getting away that +night.</p> + +<p>He felt in his pockets. A pen-knife was his +only tool or weapon.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart rowed back to shore to break the +disagreeable news to the members of his party. +But the sleepers were awake on his return. +They had seen Mr. Stuart row hurriedly out to +the launch with the engineer, and surmised instantly +that something had happened.</p> + +<p>“Oh, dear, oh, dear!” wailed the countess, +when Mr. Stuart had explained their plight. +“Must I always bring ill-luck to you?”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense!” expostulated Mr. Stuart. “How +could the wrecking of our engine have any connection +with you, Countess?”</p> + +<p>Old Jim who still stood blinking and stretching +now began to vaguely grasp the situation.</p> + +<p>“’Scuse me ladies,” he mumbled. “I spects +I’se jest been nappin’ a little. I ain’t been +’zactly asleep.”</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” laughed, in spite of +the difficulties which confronted them.</p> + +<p>“Oh no, you haven’t been asleep,” Mr. Stuart +assured him, “but that nap of yours was a +close imitation of the real thing.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span> +</p> + +<p>Jim grinned sheepishly and hung his woolly +head. “I ’low nothin’ bad ain’t happened, suh.”</p> + +<p>“Something bad certainly has happened. In +fact about as bad as it well could be, Jim,” +declared Mr. Stuart. “Some wretch has tampered +with the engine of our launch and left us +high and dry on this lonely shore. We must +do something and that something quickly. It’s +getting late, and we don’t want to spend the +night here, lovely as the place is. Where’s the +nearest house or village?”</p> + +<p>“Lor’, suh,” exclaimed old Jim. “This am a +lonesome spot. There ain’t no village no +wheres round heah!”</p> + +<p>“But where is the nearest house, then?” demanded +Mr. Stuart.</p> + +<p>The darkey scratched his head reflectively.</p> + +<p>“Ole Miss Thorne might take you in, Massa. +Her place am about two miles from here. She’s +my old missis. I live thar. I jest comes down +here and helps fishin’ parties to land and takes +them out in my boat in the daytime. Nights I +sleeps at my old missis’s place. She comes of +a fine family she do. But she’s a little teched in +the head, suh.”</p> + +<p>“All right, Jim; show us the way to the house. +But how are we to find a horse and wagon? My +sister and Madame de Villiers will not care to +walk that distance.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span> +</p> + +<p>“I got an old horse and wagon hitched near +here, Massa,” Jim returned. “I come over in +it this morning.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart finally installed Miss Sallie, Madame +de Villiers, and the young countess in the +bottom of Jim’s old wagon. He also stored +their lunch baskets away under the seats. Food +might be precious before they found their way +back to their hotel.</p> + +<p>Then Jim started his patient old horse, while +Mr. Stuart and the “Automobile Girls” followed +the wagon which led the way along a narrow +road through the heart of the jungle.</p> + +<p>But before leaving the deserted shore, Mr. +Stuart went back to the launch. He tacked a +note on the outside of the cabin. The note explained +the accident to their engine. It also +stated that Mr. Stuart and his party had gone +to seek refuge at the home of a Miss Thorne, two +miles back from the shore.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart did not believe the wrecker would +return to the boat. He had accomplished his +evil purpose. But Mr. Stuart did hope that +another launch might visit the coast either that +evening or in the early morning. Therefore he +requested that any one who discovered his letter +would come to Miss Thorne’s home for his +party. +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_166"></a>166</span> +<a id='chXVI'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XVI</p> +<p class='cln1'>WELCOME AND UNWELCOME GUESTS</p> +</div> + + +<p>The sun was just sinking when Mr. Stuart’s +weary cavalcade stopped in front +of a great iron gate. The gate was covered +with rust and hung loose on its hinges. It +opened into a splendid avenue of cypress trees. +As far as the eye could see on each side of the +road, ran overgrown hedges of the Rose of +Sharon. The bushes were in full bloom and the +masses of white blossoms gleamed in the gathering +shadows like lines of new fallen snow.</p> + +<p>“How beautiful!” exclaimed the four “Automobile +Girls” in chorus.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart looked anxiously up the lonely +avenue as his party stumbled along the rough +road and peered cautiously into the hedge first +on one side then on the other. It would have +been easy for an army to hide itself in the cover +of the thicket, which hemmed them in on all +sides in an impenetrable wall of green.</p> + +<p>“I feel extremely uneasy, Robert,” declared +Miss Sallie, her face pale under the stress of the +day’s experiences.</p> + +<p>Old Madame de Villiers smiled and shrugged +her shoulders. “I have no fear for myself,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span> +she said. “My husband is a soldier. I have +followed him through two great wars. What +comes must come. It is all in the day’s business. +But the countess, she is different. She +is in my charge; nothing must happen to her. +I assure you, Mr. Stuart, it is of the utmost importance +that the Countess Sophia be protected.”</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie held her head very high. Madame +de Villiers was their guest, so Miss Stuart +would say nothing. But why should Madame +de Villiers think the safety of the Countess Sophia +of more importance than that of the +four “Automobile Girls?” Miss Sarah Stuart +had other ideas. She was equally determined +that no harm should overtake any one of her +charges.</p> + +<p>The narrow avenue finally broadened into a +lawn overgrown with flowers and vines. Back +of it stood an old house that had once been a +fine colonial mansion. The house seemed to +frown on the intruders, who had come to destroy +its sacred quiet.</p> + +<p>“I should think anybody might be ‘teched’ in +the head, who lived alone in a queer place like +this,” whispered Ruth to Bab, as the two girls +stood with their arms about each other, staring +ahead of them.</p> + +<p>“Will you see Miss Thorne first, Jim, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span> +explain our plight to her?” Mr. Stuart asked +the old colored man. “Or do you think it would +be better to have me make matters clear?”</p> + +<p>“I’ll do the ’splainin’, Massa,” returned old +Jim. “My missis will allus listen to me. I +done tole you she wasn’t jes’ like other folks.”</p> + +<p>“Is your mistress insane, Jim?” inquired +Miss Sallie anxiously.</p> + +<p>“No-o, ma’am,” returned the old man. +“Miss Thorne she ain’t crazy. She’s puffectly +quiet, suh, and she’s all right on every subject +’cept one. I hates to tell you what that thing +is.”</p> + +<p>“Out with it, Jim. What is the lady’s peculiarity?”</p> + +<p>“She imagines, suh, that her fambly is still +with her, her own ma and pa, and young massa, +and her sister Missy Lucy. Missy Rose ain’t +never been married.”</p> + +<p>“Where is her family, Jim?” Ruth asked.</p> + +<p>“They lies yonder in the buryin’ ground, +Missy,” replied the old darkey, pointing toward +a clearing some distance from the house, where +a few white stones gleamed in the twilight.</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie shuddered. Grace and Mollie +huddled close to her, while Ruth and Bab gave +each other’s hands re-assuring pressures.</p> + +<p>“Do you look after this Miss Thorne?” Mr. +Stuart inquired further. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span> +</p> + +<p>“Yes, suh; me and my wife Chloe looks after +her. Chloe cooks and I works about the place +when I’se not down to the beach with my boat. +But my missus ain’t so poor. She’s got enough +to git along with. I jest likes to earn a little +extra.”</p> + +<p>By this time Jim had climbed down from his +shaky old wagon. He now opened the front +door.</p> + +<p>“Walk right in,” he said hospitably, making +a low bow. “I’ll go find Miss Rose.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart’s party entered a wide hall that +seemed shrouded in impenetrable gloom. On +the walls hung rows of family portraits. The +place was inexpressibly dismal. The “Automobile +Girls” kept close to Mr. Stuart. In silence +they waited for the appearance of the +mistress of the house.</p> + +<p>Two candles flickered in the dark hallway. +Out of the gloom emerged an old lady, followed +by her two servants, who were bearing the +lights. She was small and very fragile. She +wore a gray silk gown of an old fashioned cut. +Her dress was ornamented with a bertha and +cuffs of Duchess lace.</p> + +<p>The old lady advanced and held out her small +hand. “I am pleased to offer you shelter,” +she declared to Mr. Stuart. “Jim has explained +your predicament to me. We shall be only +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span> +too happy to have you stay with us for the +night.”</p> + +<p>At the word “we,” the “Automobile Girls” +exchanged frightened glances. Their hostess +was alone. But that one word “we” explained +the situation. Did she mean that all the ghosts +of her past still waited in the house to welcome +unexpected visitors?</p> + +<p>“It has been many years since we have had +guests in our home,” continued Miss Thorne. +“But I think we have rooms enough to accommodate +you.”</p> + +<p>Chloe conducted Miss Sallie, Madame de Villiers, +the Countess Sophia and the four “Automobile +Girls” into a great parlor. The room +was furnished with old fashioned elegance. +Candles burned on the high mantel shelves. But +the dim lights could not dispel the shadow of +desolation that pervaded the great room.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Miss Thorne entered the +room. “You must tell me your names,” she +inquired sociably. “I wish to run upstairs and +tell Mama about you. Poor Mama is an invalid +or she would come down to see you.”</p> + +<p>Then calling Chloe to her, she said in a loud +whisper:</p> + +<p>“Notify Miss Lucy and Master Tom at once. +Papa can wait. He is busy in the library.”</p> + +<p>An uncanny silence followed Miss Thorne’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span> +speech. Every one of the seven women looked +unhappy and Mr. Stuart tried vainly to conceal +a sense of uneasiness. But Chloe quietly beckoned +the party from the room.</p> + +<p>“I’ll jes’ show the ladies upstairs,” she explained +gently and her mistress made no objection.</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie would on no account sleep alone +in such a dismal house. She shared a large +chamber with Ruth and Bab. The countess +asked to spend the night with Mollie and Grace, +and Madame de Villiers, who was afraid of +nothing, had a room to herself. Mr. Stuart +went up to the third floor.</p> + +<p>“Let us talk and laugh and try to be cheerful, +girls,” proposed the countess. “This poor +old soul is quite harmless, I believe, and she +seems very sad. Perhaps we may be able to +cheer her a little.”</p> + +<p>“All right, my lovely countess,” replied Mollie. +“Ghosts or no ghosts, we will do our best. +But don’t count on me for much merriment. +I’m a dreadful coward.” Mollie looked over +her shoulder with a shudder.</p> + +<p>The countess and Grace laughed, but quickly +their laugh died.</p> + +<p>The sound of weird music floated up through +the dark hall. Their hostess, Miss Thorne, was +playing the tall harp that stood in the parlor. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span> +</p> + +<p>“Goodness!” cried Miss Sallie, “what will +that poor soul do next? I should not be in the +least surprised if the entire departed family +were given places at supper to-night.” Which +was exactly what happened. Four empty chairs +were left at the table.</p> + +<p>“Miss Thorne,” said Mr. Stuart, when they +were all seated, “could you not be persuaded +to visit the outer world? It would give my sister +and me much pleasure if you would spend +a few days with us at Palm Beach.”</p> + +<p>A spark of pleasure lit up the hostess’s faded +eyes for an instant. Then she shook her head +sadly.</p> + +<p>“You are most kind, sir, but I am much +needed at home. Lucy, my sister, is quite delicate, +you see. And Mama is an invalid.”</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie touched her brother’s foot under +the table, as a signal to keep away from dangerous +topics. But what topic was not dangerous?</p> + +<p>“How charmingly you play the harp, Miss +Thorne,” ventured the countess, when they had +somewhat recovered themselves.</p> + +<p>“Ah,” exclaimed the poor woman, smiling +archly, “you must praise the right person, my +dear. It was my sister Lucy who was playing.”</p> + +<p>Miss Sallie dropped her fork with a loud +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> +clatter, while Mollie slipped her hand into the countess’s +and the other three girls linked their feet +under the table, girl fashion.</p> + +<p>Jim, who, in an old black coat, was waiting +on the table, smiled grimly and mumbled to +himself.</p> + +<p>“But, young ladies,” cried Miss Thorne, +“you are not eating.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact the supper was delicious; +biscuits as light as snow flakes, broiled sea +trout, potatoes roasted in their jackets and preserves +in delicate cut glass bowls. But who +could enjoy a banquet under such conditions? +The two candles seemed to accentuate the blackness +of the shadows which gathered at the edges +of the room. The guests tried to laugh and +talk, but gradually gloomy silence settled upon +them. Miss Thorne appeared to have forgotten +where she was and Mr. Stuart observing the +uneasiness of the whole party remarked that +as they had had a long day it would be well to +retire early.</p> + +<p>As they were about to rise from the table a +sudden exclamation from the countess who sat +at the lower end of the table caused all eyes +to turn toward her in startled inquiry. She was +staring at the open window in fascinated terror, +unable for the moment to do anything save point +to the opening which was swathed in shadows. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span> +</p> + +<p>“A horrible old man!” she at last managed +to articulate. “I saw him looking in at us!”</p> + +<p>“What old man?” demanded Mr. Stuart.</p> + +<p>“He was white haired and looked like a great +ape,” she gasped.</p> + +<p>“Why that’s the man whom I drove out of +your room the other night, Countess,” exclaimed +Bab. “What can his object be in following +you?”</p> + +<p>“Come, my man,” commanded Mr. Stuart, +turning to the engineer who sat beside him, +“and you too, Jim, we’ll search the grounds. +I believe that this formidable old man can tell +us something about the wrecking of the engine. +Let’s get after him at once!”</p> + +<p>Old Jim lost no time in procuring lanterns, +and a thorough search of the grounds was made. +The women meantime remained in the dining +room, but now that the first effects of their +fright had worn off, they prepared to give their +fearsome intruder a warm reception should he +again show himself. Madame de Villiers +moved her chair to one side of the open window, +her heavy cane in both hands, ready for instant +use. While Barbara took up her station at the +other side grasping firmly the heavy silver teapot +that had been in the Thorne family for generations. +Ruth guarded the door at one end, +brandishing ferociously a heavy carving knife +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span> +she had appropriated from a set on the old +fashioned side-board, while Mollie, bravely, held +the fort, at the other door with the fork. The +countess half laughing, half shuddering, clung +to a heavy cut glass water bottle, while Miss +Sallie had prepared to meet the enemy with a +huge bottle of cayenne pepper, which she had +taken from the old-fashioned silver castor. +</p> +<div class="figure"> +<img src="images/illus-174.jpg" alt="image"/> +<p class="caption">The Countess Pointed Toward the Open Window.</p> +</div> + +<p> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span> +“There is nothing like being prepared,” said +Ruth with a hysterical laugh, after ten minutes +had passed, and the enemy had not shown himself. +“I’m going to get a chair and be comfortable.” +Mollie followed suit, and the watchers +sat valiantly alert, as the minutes dragged +by.</p> + +<p>Miss Thorne chattered voluably to and about +her family, paying very little attention to her +strangely-behaved guests, while Chloe, the old +servant, huddled in one corner, her eyes rolling +with fright at every sound she heard.</p> + +<p>At last the welcome sound of men’s voices +was heard and Mr. Stuart, followed by the engineer +and old Jim, entered at Mollie’s door.</p> + +<p>“What kind of desperado organization is +this?” he exclaimed, laughing in spite of himself +at the ludicrous appearance this feminine vigilant +committee made.</p> + +<p>“It’s war to the knife,” cried Ruth.</p> + +<p>“And the fork, too, I should say,” laughed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span> +her father, “also the teapot, and—what on earth +are you cherishing so fondly, Sallie?”</p> + +<p>“Cayenne pepper,” responded Miss Sallie, +“and I consider myself well armed, at that.”</p> + +<p>“I should rather think so,” agreed her +brother. “However you are all safe in laying +down your arms, for we have searched diligently, +and can find no trace of the intruder. +He evidently heard the countess and made a +quick get away. You must pardon us, Madam, +for stirring up your quiet home in this manner,” +he said, bowing to Miss Thorne. “I trust we +shall meet with no further disagreeable adventures.”</p> + +<p>“You have not disturbed either Lucy or me +in the least,” declared the demented old woman +graciously. “As for Papa and Mama they +dearly love to have visitors.” She smiled +sweetly and at once began a one-sided conversation +with her departed parents.</p> + +<p>“Do take us away from her,” whispered Ruth +to her father. “She has been addressing the +shades of her family ever since you left us, and +it’s getting on our nerves.”</p> + +<p>“With your kind permission, Miss Thorne, +we shall retire,” said Mr. Stuart, and the seven +tired women gladly followed him through the +shadowy hall and up the wide stairs, to their +respective sleeping rooms. +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_179"></a>179</span> +<a id='chXVII'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XVII</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE MIDNIGHT INTRUDER</p> +</div> + + +<p>Once in their rooms the drooping spirits +of the picnickers revived, somewhat. It +was a fine night, the air warm and +fragrant. The windows of the sleeping rooms +were wide open and the moonlight streamed +across the floor, filling the whole place with its +soft radiance.</p> + +<p>“Oh look!” cried Grace, going over to the +open window. “What a darling balcony! I +believe the other rooms all open out on it too. +Good-bye,” she called to Mollie and the countess, +as she stepped nimbly over the sill. “I’m +going to make a call.”</p> + +<p>Grace had hardly disappeared, before the +countess went quickly to the door, closed it, then +came back to Mollie, her finger on her lip. +Drawing Mollie over to one corner of the room, +where they could not be observed from the outside, +the countess whispered. “Mademoiselle +Mollie, I believe you love me and trust me, even +more than do your friends, and because of this +I am going to ask you to do me a very great +favor.”</p> + +<p>Mollie’s blue eyes looked lovingly up into the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span> +dark eyes of the countess. So fervent was her +feeling of adoration for this fascinating +stranger that she was prepared to grant any +favor that lay within her power. “I should +dearly love to help you in any way I can,” she +said earnestly. “You make me very, very +happy.”</p> + +<p>The countess kissed her.</p> + +<p>“Dear child,” she continued, “the thing I am +going to ask seems simple enough, but some day +you will understand how much it means to me. +Wait a moment,” she added almost under her +breath. “There is some one whom I hold in +such dread that, even in this desolate and far-away +place, he or his confederate might be +listening.”</p> + +<p>She looked about her cautiously, then went +to the window and anxiously scanned the balcony. +It was quite empty. Her eyes searched +the long avenue leading to the grove that looked +like a huge black spot in the moonlight. Then +she returned to Mollie and said softly, +“I am not afraid of ghosts, and neither are +you, Mollie, I am sure, because there are no +such things; but this place fills me with foreboding. +It is so lonesome, so utterly dismal. +What was that? I thought I heard a noise below. +Did you hear anything?”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps it was Jim closing up for the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span> +night,” replied Mollie, pressing close to the +countess for comfort. “But what was the favor? +I will do anything for you.”</p> + +<p>“This is it,” answered the countess, her +voice again dropping to a whisper. “Will you, +for a few days, carry a paper for me? It is a +very dangerous paper, dangerous, that is, because +some one else wishes it, but it is a very +valuable one to me because I may need it, and if +you will keep it safely hidden until I do need it, +you will not only be doing me a service but +Mademoiselle Warren also.”</p> + +<p>Mollie looked puzzled. The countess’s words +were shrouded in mystery.</p> + +<p>“Does it concern the Count de Sonde, too?” +she asked breathlessly.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” replied the countess; “it concerns +him very intimately. Will you do this for me, +little Mollie? I know now that the paper is not +safe either in my house or on me. It would be +quite safe with you, however. Even my enemy +would never think of that, and, if anything +should happen to me, you may produce the +paper at once. Give it to Mr. Stuart. He will +know what should be done.”</p> + +<p>The countess took from her dress a square, +flat chamois bag which fastened with a clasp +and evidently contained a document of some +sort. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span> +</p> + +<p>“Fasten it into your dress with this pin,” +she said, “and keep the pin as a memento of +our friendship.”</p> + +<p>And the pin, as Mollie saw later, was no ordinary +affair, but a broad gold band on which +was a beautifully enameled coat of arms.</p> + +<p>“Is this another secret session?” cried Ruth’s +voice gayly from the window.</p> + +<p>The two conspirators started nervously.</p> + +<p>“Come into our room,” Ruth continued. +“Papa has sent up the luncheon hamper. There +are still some sandwiches and fruit left; likewise +a box of candy. We were too frightened +to have appetites at supper, but I think a little +food, now, will cheer us mightily.”</p> + +<p>“This looks quite like a boarding-school +spread,” exclaimed Miss Sallie as they gathered +around the feast. “But it is really a good +idea. I feel that this little midnight luncheon +might help me keep up my courage until I get +to sleep.”</p> + +<p>“What a jolly little feast,” cried the Countess +Sophia. “I am quite beginning to take +heart again after that fearful ordeal below. I +had a feeling all the time that the chairs were +not really empty.”</p> + +<p>“Goodness me!” cried Grace, “do change the +subject, or we shall be afraid to go to bed at +all.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span> +</p> + +<p>“And I move that we take to our couches +at once,” said Ruth, “while we have the courage +to do so. Madame de Villiers, are you not +afraid to sleep alone?”</p> + +<p>“Not in the least, my dear. I am not afraid +of the most courageous ghost that ever walked. +I believe I will retire at once. I am very tired.”</p> + +<p>Taking one of the candles which stood in a +row on the mantel, making a cheerful illumination, +the stately old woman bade them good +night, and the tapping of her stick resounded +through the empty hall.</p> + +<p>Soon after Grace, Mollie and the countess +stepped through the window, and down the balcony +to their room.</p> + +<p>“You’d better close your shutters,” called +Grace over her shoulder. “We’re going to.”</p> + +<p>“And lose all this glorious moonlight?” +asked Ruth. “Never. This balcony is too high +from the ground for any one to climb up, easily, +and besides, old Jim is going to be on guard +to-night. Aunt Sallie thinks we had better try +to make ourselves comfortable without doing +much undressing. Even if we don’t sleep very +well to-night, we can make up for it when we +get back to the hotel.” With these words Ruth +blew out the candles and five minutes later, their +shoes and outer clothing removed, she and Barbara +and Miss Sallie were fast asleep. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span> +</p> + +<p>Grace and Mollie, however, struggled vainly +with the heavy wooden shutters, but try as they +might they could not succeed in closing them +tightly. After some subdued laughter and many +exclamations they abandoned their task in disgust, +and blowing out their candles prepared +themselves for sleep.</p> + +<p>At midnight Ruth awoke with a start. She +had a distinct sensation that some one had been +looking into her face. But the room was still +flooded with moonlight, and she could see +plainly that, except for her sleeping companions, +no one was there. She turned over and +closed her eyes again, but the sudden waking +had driven sleep away.</p> + +<p>Was that a noise?</p> + +<p>Ruth held her breath and listened. There +was not a sound except the regular breathing of +Miss Sallie.</p> + +<p>Ruth lay with every nerve strained to catch +the lightest footfall. In a moment it came again, +very faint but still distinct. Something—some +one—moved somewhere.</p> + +<p>She sat up in bed and touched Barbara +lightly on the cheek.</p> + +<p>Barbara opened her eyes slowly then sat up. +Ruth pointed to the next room. The two girls +listened intently. Again there was the sound, +a soft, a very soft footfall on a creaking board. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span> +</p> + +<p>Cautiously the two girls climbed from the bed +and crept over to the door between the two +rooms. On a small bed at the far side of the +room lay the countess, sleeping soundly. Grace +and Mollie also were fast asleep in the other +bed. Suddenly Ruth gripped Bab’s arm. The +eyes of both girls were riveted on the old fashioned +dressing table in one corner of the room. +Before it stood the same terrible old man that +Bab had seen at the villa. He was examining +minutely every thing on the dresser. Next he +turned his attention to the girls’ walking suits +which hung over the backs of the chairs. He +searched the pockets of the coats, the linings, +and even the hems of the skirts.</p> + +<p>“He is certainly looking for a paper,” Barbara +thought, as she watched him make his +systematic search, “and he certainly has something +to do with the countess’s affairs.”</p> + +<p>Barbara’s mind reverted to the group she +had seen on the hotel veranda, the night before. +What was the explanation of it all? Was the +countess really an impostor and why, when she +evidently feared Monsieur Duval and ignored +Mrs. De Lancey Smythe, did she hold interviews +late at night with them? She had distinctly +refused the “Automobile Girls’” invitations +to the hotel, yet she had not refused to +meet others there. And what part could this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span> +ferocious looking old man possibly have in the +drama?</p> + +<p>All this passed rapidly through Bab’s mind +as with her hand clasped tightly in Ruth’s the +two girls watched the intruder with bated +breath. To Bab there was something strangely +familiar about him, his movements suggested +some one she had seen before, yet she could find +no place in her memory for him.</p> + +<p>Failing to find what he desired, the old man +again turned toward the countess a look of indescribable +menace on his face. He took a step +toward her then—a sudden burst of weird music +floated up from the gloomy drawing room. +With a smothered exclamation the intruder +whirled and making for the window swung himself +over the ledge. Ruth clutched Barbara for +support. She was trembling with fear.</p> + +<p>“Don’t be frightened, dear,” soothed Bab +bravely. “That isn’t ghost music. It’s only +Miss Thorne playing the harp. It’s an unearthly +hour for music, but she couldn’t have +begun to play at a more opportune moment, +either. I believe that frightful old man thought +it was ghost music. Just listen to it. It’s +enough to give any one the creeps.”</p> + +<p>The demented old woman played on in a wailing +minor key, and presently footsteps were +heard coming down the hall. By this time +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span> +Mollie, Grace and the countess were wide awake +and seeing Bab and Ruth in their room demanded +to know what had happened. A moment +later Madame de Villiers and Miss Sallie, +both fully dressed, entered the room.</p> + +<p>“No more sleep for me to-night,” announced +Miss Stuart firmly. “I feel that the sooner +morning comes and we get out of this house the +better pleased I shall be.”</p> + +<p>At that instant a melancholy strain like the +wail of a lost soul rose from down stairs. Then +all was silent.</p> + +<p>“I begin to believe it is the departed spirit +of her sister Lucy that executed that last passage,” +shuddered the countess. “Come, my +dears let us finish dressing. It will soon be +morning and then surely some way will be provided +for us to go back to Palm Beach.”</p> + +<p>“Shall we tell her?” whispered Ruth to Bab.</p> + +<p>“We’d better,” nodded Bab. “Then she will +be constantly on her guard.”</p> + +<p>“Listen, everyone,” commanded Ruth. “We +are going to tell you something but you mustn’t +feel frightened. We think the countess should +know it at once. You tell them about it, Bab.”</p> + +<p>Bab obediently began a recital of what had +transpired after she and Ruth had been so suddenly +wakened. The others listened in consternation +to her story. The countess who +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span> +turned very pale while Bab was speaking, looked +appealingly at Madame de Villiers. The stern +old woman was apparently much agitated. “He +shall not harm the Countess Sophia,” she muttered, +forgetful of those about her. “I will +protect her even from him.”</p> + +<p>“Aunt Sallie, shall I call Father?” asked Ruth +a few moments later. The seven women were +seated about the room in silent dejection.</p> + +<p>“No, Ruth,” responded her aunt. “We will +not waken him. A man that can sleep through +a concert such as we were favored with deserves +to be left in peace. It is after four +o’clock now. I think we’ll let him sleep until +six, at least. Then after breakfast, perhaps, he +will be able to devise some means by which we +may return to the hotel.”</p> + +<p>It was a very tired and sleepy band of picnickers +that gathered around the Thorne breakfast +table that morning, and breakfast was not +over when the honk of an automobile horn was +heard and a large touring car rolled up the +avenue.</p> + +<p>“Hurrah!” shouted Ruth. “It’s Mr. Warren. +Oh, but I’m glad to see him.”</p> + +<p>It was indeed Mr. Warren, who, when the +party did not return that night, had taken the +fastest launch he could find and made for the +picnic ground. He had discovered the note, as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span> +Mr. Stuart had hoped, had returned to the hotel +where the history of Thorne house and its mistress +was not unknown and had come for them +himself after a few hours sleep.</p> + +<p>“I should be happy and honored if you would +all come again,” said Miss Thorne as she waved +adieu to her guests from the front piazza, while +Jim and Chloe bobbed and bowed and chuckled +over the generous present they had each received +from Mr. Stuart.</p> + +<p>As the automobile rolled down the avenue +they caught a last glimpse of the mistress of +Thorne House still waving her handkerchief, and +in every heart was a feeling of tender sympathy +for the little old woman whose present was so +irrevocably linked to the past.</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chXVIII'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XVIII</p> +<p class='cln1'>THE WATER FÊTE</p> +</div> + + +<div> +<p style='margin:0 auto 0 4ex'>“Roll along, roll along,</p> +<p style='margin:0 auto 0 6ex'>O’er the waters so blue,</p> +<p style='margin:0 auto 0 4ex'>We’re afloat, we’re afloat</p> +<p style='margin:0 auto 0 6ex'>In our birch bark canoe,”</p> +</div> + +<p>sang Grace’s high sweet voice as their boat +bobbed gayly up and down with the little rippling +waves of the lake.</p> + +<p>“That is a pretty song, my dear child,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span> +exclaimed Miss Sallie Stuart, from a cushioned +seat in the stern of the boat, “but you should +substitute ‘naphtha launch’ for canoe. Nothing +would induce me to ride in one.”</p> + +<p>“The Count de Sonde is going to be at the +fête in a canoe,” observed Maud Warren in +the tone of one imparting a piece of valuable +information. “He asked me to go with him, but +Papa was unreasonable, as usual.”</p> + +<p>“In a canoe with that little foreigner!” cried +Miss Sallie in amazement. “Does he know how +to paddle?”</p> + +<p>“The count is an expert boatman,” replied +Maud stiffly. She had mixed sensations of +fear and dislike for Miss Sallie, although fear +was the stronger sentiment of the two.</p> + +<p>“I imagine his swimming and his canoeing +are about alike,” said Ruth aside to Barbara; +“just paddling in shallow water.”</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” were busily engaged +in decorating their launch for the Venetian +Fête, which was to take place that evening. +The lake dotted with numbers of boats +looked like an immense flower bed. Hundreds +of craft of every land were anchored near the +shore, each filled with gay parties of young +people who were stringing up rows of Japanese +lanterns, bunting and flags.</p> + +<p>“There’s not a boat on the lake that can +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span> +compare with ours,” cried Mollie proudly, as she +tacked the end of a festoon of small banners to +the awning-pole, while Barbara gave a finishing +touch by crossing the silk flags of the “Automobile +Girls” on the bow.</p> + +<p>“If only the lanterns don’t catch fire this +evening,” said Miss Sallie.</p> + +<p>“What a pessimist you are, Auntie, dearest!” +exclaimed Ruth. “We can easily pitch them in +the water if they do, and still be very handsome +with our banners and things.”</p> + +<p>“Here comes the count,” cried Maud, who +had ignored the conversation of the others and +was busily scanning the multitudes of boats in +search of her admirer.</p> + +<p>Her friends politely controlled a desire to +laugh when they saw the count presently emerge +from the boats along the shore in a small canoe +that was decorated with one lantern hung from +a bamboo stick in the bow, while the French flag +waved triumphantly from the stern. The count, +in white flannels, was working laboriously with +the paddle. His little mustache twitched in an +agony of exertion and occasionally he paused to +wipe the perspiration from his brow.</p> + +<p>“The count is quite an athlete, isn’t he, +Maud?” asked Mollie wickedly. “I should think +he might lead the parade to-night.”</p> + +<p>But Maud was not listening. Her whole +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span> +attention was concentrated on the canoe, which +was making straight for the launch.</p> + +<p>“Here I am, Count,” she cried, waving her +handkerchief to the young Frenchman, who, as +soon as he espied the boat full of girls, had begun +to paddle with a grand flourish, at the same +time casting melting glances in the direction of +Maud. But he had not calculated on the distance +between the canoe and the launch, and a +final, fancy stroke with the paddle, sent the frail +little boat scurrying over the water.</p> + +<p>It collided with the larger boat, and in an instant +turned turtle, dragging the flag of the +French ignominiously into the depths while the +discomfited son of France, clung to the side of +his boat, and wildly called for help.</p> + +<p>At first the girls were speechless with +laughter and the last of the De Sondes received +neither sympathy nor aid. Even Maud joined +in the merriment, while the enraged nobleman +sputtered angrily in French and denounced +America and everything in it as fit only for pigs.</p> + +<p>Presently Barbara wiped the tears from her +eyes and threw out a life preserver to the unfortunate +man.</p> + +<p>“There, Count,” she called, “you can’t sink +as long as you hold on to that. We’ll see if we +can’t right your boat, and you can paddle back +to shore.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span> +</p> + +<p>“I’m sorry we can’t offer you the hospitality +of our boat,” said Miss Sallie, “but we are anchored, +you see, and the engineer is ashore. Besides, +I am afraid your wet clothing would spoil +our decorations.”</p> + +<p>The count, however, was too enraged to remember +any English. He shook his fist at the +upturned canoe and poured forth a perfect torrent +of maledictions against it.</p> + +<p>Just then a passing launch paused and gave +the needed assistance, taking the count on board +and towing the canoe to shore. As the little +boat was righted an envelope that had evidently +fallen from the count’s pocket, floated past them +in the current.</p> + +<p>“You dropped something,” called Barbara, +but the launch had already started for shore +and the count did not hear her. Using the crook +of her parasol Ruth tried to fish it out. As she +drew it to the side of the boat it sank out of +sight but not before she had read the inscription +on it, written in an angular foreign-looking +handwriting: “To Madame La Comtesse Sophia +von Stolberg.”</p> + +<p>Barbara, too, saw it, and so did Mollie, whose +face flushed crimson with the memory of what +her beloved countess had said to her that night +on the balcony of Thorne House. At that very +moment, pinned inside of Mollie’s white silk +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span> +blouse, was the dangerous paper which “concerned +the count very intimately.”</p> + +<p>Was it about that mysterious document that +he was now writing to the countess?</p> + +<p>For the first time Mollie felt the shadow of +a doubt cross her mind. It was only a tiny +speck of a doubt, but it left its impression, try +as she would to shake it off.</p> + +<p>Ruth and Barbara exchanged glances, but +said nothing. They had seen enough to know +that some sort of correspondence was being secretly +carried on between the Countess von +Stolberg and the Count de Sonde. If Maud +were to marry the count she would deeply regret +it, the Countess Sophia had said.</p> + +<p>Strangely enough, this speech came back to +each of the three girls at the same moment.</p> + +<p>Ruth felt that perhaps they had rushed too +quickly into an intimacy with the countess. For +the first time Mollie was inclined to be a little +suspicious. While Barbara who had even more +evidence against the Countess Sophia tried +vainly to fit together the pieces of this most mysterious +puzzle.</p> + +<p style="font-size:smaller"> </p> + +<p>“Well, fair and beautiful ladies, are you quite +ready for a sail on the Grand Canal? Have you +your wraps and bonnets? Is Grace’s guitar on +hand?” called Mr. Stuart that evening, after +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span> +dinner, rapping on three doors one after the +other.</p> + +<p>“In a minute!” called a chorus of voices from +the three rooms, while Mr. Stuart put on a look +of resigned patience and waited for the girls +to appear. At length, tired of waiting, he +strolled toward the elevator when Marian De +Lancey Smythe hurried along the corridor.</p> + +<p>She averted her face when she saw Mr. Stuart, +for Marian had sedulously kept out of sight for +a number of days, and they had wondered not a +little at it.</p> + +<p>“Why, Miss Marian,” called the kind-hearted +man, who had always felt an interest in the +strange young girl, “aren’t you going to see the +water fête to-night?”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid not, Mr. Stuart,” she replied, +her lips trembling a little, partly from loneliness +and partly because people were not often +kind to her. “Mama is going with Mr. Duval +and some friends, but I didn’t care to go with +them.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, Miss Marian; you must go with +us, then. Get your wraps and meet us on the +piazza.”</p> + +<p>And ten minutes later, her eyes alight with +pleasure, Marian made one of the party of girls +who presently found themselves floating in the +long procession of illuminated boats on the lake. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span> +</p> + +<p>All the hotels had emptied themselves upon +the lake front, and hundreds of boats had already +filled and were forming in line for the +water. The moon would not be up until very +late, but the place was aglow with Japanese lanterns, +which decorated the launches and rowboats +and hung in festoons along the boat landings.</p> + +<p>The girls had hardly got their lanterns lit +when there was a burst of music, and the procession +began to wind its sinuous way about the +lake.</p> + +<p>“The fireworks will begin in a moment, +girls,” said Mr. Warren, “and then you will be +a part of a wonderful spectacle to those on +shore.”</p> + +<p>Certainly the Stuart boat was one of the most +picturesque of all the craft that floated in the +parade. The glow of the lanterns made a soft +illumination about the four young girls, each of +whom wore a long broadcloth cape, a final gift +from Mr. Stuart before leaving Chicago. Barbara’s +was her favorite dark red, Ruth’s was +pink, Mollie’s her own particular blue and +Grace’s a delicate lavender.</p> + +<p>“Daughter,” continued Mr. Warren, turning +to Maud who in an elaborate white silk evening +wrap, was leaning languidly back in her seat, +“aren’t you feeling well to-night?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span> +</p> + +<p>“Oh, perfectly well, Papa,” replied Maud, +resting her chin on her hand and looking out +across the fleet of boats moving slowly along +the shore. “But spectacles of this sort are so +childish and tiresome, I think. They do bore +me—oh, there’s the count,” she cried, interrupting +herself.</p> + +<p>Her father looked so grieved and annoyed +that Mr. Stuart’s heart was filled with compassion +for his old friend.</p> + +<p>“See what a good time the other girls are +having,” went on Mr. Warren, in a pleading +tone. “Look how jolly they are in their bright +capes. I wish you would get one, daughter. +These grown-up things make you look so much +older than you really are.”</p> + +<p>He pressed the girl’s hand but she drew away +with a petulant expression.</p> + +<p>“Please don’t, Papa. You know how I detest +public demonstrations.”</p> + +<p>“Oh-h-h!” cried the others.</p> + +<p>A sky rocket had exploded and thousands of +stars hung for an instant suspended in mid-air. +Then an entire artillery of Roman candles +seemed to be let loose at once. There was a +blare of trumpets, a grand burst of music and +the gorgeous water pageant was outlined against +the sky like an illuminated picture.</p> + +<p>Other boats began dropping out of line after +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span> +the music had stopped, and Mr. Stuart ordered +the engineer to run farther out into the lake +where the illumination could be seen to better +advantage. Grace struck a chord on her guitar +and began to sing: “’Tis night on Venice +waters,” when Marian, to the surprise of the +others, suddenly joined in with a sweet contralto +voice.</p> + +<p>“Why, Marian, I never dreamed you could +sing like that,” exclaimed Ruth, when the song +was done.</p> + +<p>Marian blushed, but said nothing. She had +hardly spoken during the whole evening.</p> + +<p>The air was full of music that night and the +sound of laughter and singing floated across the +lake from scores of other boats. The strains of +the “Marseillaise” came to them from a launch +that Maud had been watching for some time.</p> + +<p>“I know whose voice that is,” said Barbara. +“It’s Monsieur Duval’s.”</p> + +<p>“It is, I think,” replied Ruth, “although the +boat is too far away for us to see him plainly.”</p> + +<p>Marian drew a scarf over her head and +crouched down in her seat.</p> + +<p>“Could she be afraid of her own mother?” +wondered Barbara, for Mrs. De Lancey Smythe +was easily recognized as one of the occupants +of the boat. The count, who was playing on a +tinkling little mandolin, sat beside her. As the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> +boat drew nearer they noticed another figure +wrapped in a long blue broadcloth cape. It was +that of a woman, sitting with her back to them. +A scarf concealed her head and face.</p> + +<p>“Barbara,” whispered Ruth, “are we dreaming +or is it the Countess Sophia?”</p> + +<p>Barbara strained her eyes to distinguish the +figure. Mollie and Grace also had seen the +familiar wrap and poor little Mollie’s face +burned with something very like mortification.</p> + +<p>The boat skimmed lightly over the water and +in a moment only the lantern at its bow could +be seen swinging in the blackness.</p> + +<p>“It looks like the countess,” whispered Barbara +briefly in reply. “Marian,” she said, +turning to the other girl who had closed her eyes +as though she wished to shut out the sight of +the other boat, “we just saw your mother go +past with Monsieur Duval and the count, and +we thought—we were almost certain we recognized +the other person in the boat. Did you notice +who it was?”</p> + +<p>Marian opened her eyes and looked straight +into Barbara’s.</p> + +<p>“I am sorry, Barbara,” she said sadly, “but +I can’t answer that question to-night.” +</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<span class="pagenum pncolor"><a id="page_200"></a>200</span> +<a id='chXIX'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XIX</p> +<p class='cln1'>RED DOMINOS</p> +</div> + + +<p>The water fête a thing of the past, the +Warrens’ domino ball became the excitement +of the hour.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” were talking over their +costumes when there came a rap on their door.</p> + +<p>Grace responded, to find the corridor empty; +but at her feet lay a sealed envelope addressed +to Barbara, who hastily tore it open and read +aloud the enclosed note.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>“Maud and the Count have planned to elope during the +domino ball. At midnight Maud and her chaperon will steal +out of the side entrance of the hotel. The chaperon will wear +a black domino, but will remain in her room until ten minutes +before midnight, when she will go to the veranda, meet Maud, +and the two will go to the east entrance of the hotel grounds, +where they will be met by the count with an automobile. They +will go to the village and be married there. Arrangements +have been made and the license secured. Maud will wear a red +silk domino and a black mask. Just over her heart will be a +small black silk heart the size of the one enclosed. I promised +to warn you should anything serious arise, and have done so +at great personal risk. Stop the elopement if you can without +outside aid. Some day I will explain why.</p> + +<p style="text-align:right;">“M. S.”</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>“‘M. S.’ Marian Smythe. She is a good +scout, girls,” said Ruth. “But I didn’t think +that Maud would go so far as this.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span> +</p> + +<p>“This pattern for the heart—I imagine that +Marian is suggesting that we all wear dominos +exactly like Maud’s. But why?” put in Barbara.</p> + +<p>“We’ll take that step in the dark, for Father +is waiting now to telegraph for the silk to make +our dominos, and discuss details later.”</p> + +<p>“I did want a pink domino,” sighed Mollie. +“But you’re right, Ruth; and the count will be +a dizzy man before we’re through with him!”</p> + +<p>“Won’t the count be suspicious on seeing five +Mauds and change his plans?” asked Grace.</p> + +<p>“He’ll not see five Mauds. There will be a +big crowd at the ball, and four of the Mauds +will carefully keep out of one another’s way,” +explained Ruth.</p> + +<p>It was after the girls had gone to bed that +night that the full answer came to Ruth, so she +aroused Barbara to tell her of the plan.</p> + +<p>“I have it, Bab! We’ll switch couples on +the count! I’m sorry, but you’ll have to take +the risk, for you’re the only one tall enough to +represent Maud. I’m sure that Mrs. De Lancey +Smythe is to be the chaperon on the occasion, +and if we can persuade Aunt Sallie—and I +think we can—to take her place, our Count de +Sonde will find himself with the wrong pair on +his hands—and, oh, Bab, shan’t we have fun +seeing the count rage!” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span> +</p> + +<p>It was a brief statement of the plan, but Barbara +understood.</p> + +<p>“Maud will not be easy to fool, and what if +the count gets the right pair?”</p> + +<p>“Just before the hour set, one of us will get a +note to Mrs. Smythe changing the place of +meeting. There—at the new place—Maud and +her chaperon will wait in vain for her count, +who will be eloping with the wrong couple.”</p> + +<p>“It leaves many loopholes for failure, but I +can think of no better way; so I’m for it if your +Aunt Sallie consents.”</p> + +<p>“Monsieur Duval is the unknown X of the +problem,” stated Ruth slowly, “but that’s one +of the many chances we’ll have to take.”</p> + +<p>At last it was the night of the ball.</p> + +<p>“How lovely!”</p> + +<p>One of the five red dominos paused on the +threshold of the ball room, almost breathless +with admiration. Glowing lights, exotic decorations, +swaying, brilliantly clad figures moving +to perfect dance music, made indeed an entrancing +scene.</p> + +<p>“Yes, lovely, but lovelier outside. Shall we +go into the garden?” whispered a voice in the +ear of the little red domino.</p> + +<p>“Not yet,” she responded, and sped away +among the dancers.</p> + +<p>“Mademoiselle,” whispered a voice that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span> +made the blood of a second red domino tingle, +“is it all arranged?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” she answered under her breath.</p> + +<p>“You won’t fail us?” whispered the other.</p> + +<p>“No,” she replied quietly, but there was a +threat in his tone that boded evil. Then this +red domino slipped away in the crowd.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, a third red domino was peering +from behind a screen of palms when she felt +her arm seized and, turning, encountered the +angry little mask that had been pursuing red +dominos until his brain reeled.</p> + +<p>“Mademoiselle,” he hissed, “you are cruel! +Why do you avoid me so?”</p> + +<p>“Ah, Count, can’t you wait so short a time?” +and the third red domino was lost in the crowd.</p> + +<p>The fourth red domino had been amusing herself +like a wilful butterfly on a summer’s day. +But it was getting late, and she paused at length +to look about her. As she passed a grotto in +the garden, formed by palms and orange trees, +she heard the low chatter of voices speaking +French. A vine-covered trellis screened her +from view. One of the voices she recognized as +Monsieur Duval’s. She heard him say:</p> + +<p>“In three quarters of an hour we shall start. +The maid tells me the officer is asleep. She +saw to that. The young one is on the veranda +with the older one, and they never retire until +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span> +after midnight. We must have that paper to-night, +even though we use violence.” The +fourth red domino did not wait for more.</p> + +<p>“I must find Father,” she told herself. +“How shall I ever get him in time? They’re +talking of the countess, and Monsieur Duval intends +to go to the villa!”</p> + +<p>But what of the fifth red domino, the hostess +of the great ball?</p> + +<p>Time had hung rather heavily on her hands. +No one recognized her, and, not being a graceful +dancer, she was somewhat neglected.</p> +<div class='chapter'> +<a id='chXX'></a> +<p class='cln0'>CHAPTER XX</p> +<p class='cln1'>CONCLUSION</p> +</div> + + +<p>At about half-past eleven Barbara concluded +that she had better deliver the +letter to Mrs. De Lancey Smythe. Summoning +a bellboy, she went to the woman’s +room. On the way she showed the boy a dollar +bill.</p> + +<p>“This will be yours,” she said, “if you do +exactly as I tell you. If, when you deliver this +note, the recipient should ask who gave it to +you, say ‘some one in a domino,’ then come +away quickly. Do you understand?” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span> +</p> + +<p>“Yes, ma’am,” replied the boy, his eyes on +the dollar bill.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the room was reached. Mrs. +De Lancey Smythe, in a black silk domino and +mask, responded to the knock on the door.</p> + +<p>“Now,” whispered Barbara, who kept out +of sight, and the boy delivered the note which +read:</p> + +<p>“Meet me at the Casino gate. Same time. +Have found it necessary to change meeting +place.”</p> + +<p>“Who gave you this, boy?”</p> + +<p>“Some one in a domino,” he replied, turning +away.</p> + +<p>“Wait! What did the person say?”</p> + +<p>“Just ‘take this note to room 601 and give it +to the lady there.’”</p> + +<p>“It’s from the count,” and, satisfied, she reentered +the room.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Ruth, forgetting Maud Warren, +searched frantically for her father. In and out +of corridors, smoking and supper rooms, ball +room, verandas, and garden she hurried. The +recollection of Maud returned, however, when +over the hum of talk and laughter the strains +of the “Marseillaise” floated out.</p> + +<p>“In honor of De Sonde,” thought Ruth contemptuously.</p> + +<p>Some one began to sing, and the place soon +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span> +rang with the notes of the stirring French song. +People began throwing confetti, and the air was +flecked with the bright-colored stuff. It was +midnight.</p> + +<p>No one noticed two red dominos, each accompanied +by one in black, steal from different +doors of the hotel and disappear in the +dark.</p> + +<p>Ruth finally found her father standing in a +doorway, talking to a little red domino.</p> + +<p>“Father! I overheard Mr. Duval and some +accomplices planning to rob the countess of a +valuable paper to-night! Do send help at +once!”</p> + +<p>“Paper! Oh, Mr. Stuart, it must be the one +the countess entrusted to me,” and Mollie +pulled from her bosom a chamois bag.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart took a paper from the bag and +glanced through it. Only a few minutes later +he and four officers were speeding toward the +villa of the countess.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Miss Stuart and Barbara had +been assisted into an automobile waiting at the +east entrance. As they neared the station Barbara +became nervous. Was the chauffeur a +confederate of the plotters or had he been hired +to make the run knowing nothing of the details?</p> + +<p>Before the car had come to a full stop the +count leaped out and turned to help his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span> +companions alight. Barbara leaned forward and +said sharply to the chauffeur:</p> + +<p>“Return at once to the hotel without the +gentleman. Ask no questions. You will be answerable +to Mr. Stuart for any treachery.”</p> + +<p>The car disappeared in the darkness, leaving +the count dancing and gesticulating in anger.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Stuart and the officers entered the +drawing room of the countess’s villa they saw +the old man who had before menaced the two +women standing threateningly in front of them. +Behind him was another man, evidently ready +to respond to any command of the old man.</p> + +<p>“The paper you seek is not here, Monsieur,” +said the countess proudly.</p> + +<p>“I say it is here! Give it to me at once!”</p> + +<p>“Officers, this is your man! Take him!” +shouted Mr. Stuart.</p> + +<p>Two of the officers seized and handcuffed the +second man, but the old man with surprising +agility leaped from the room, and the officers +could find not the slightest trace of him.</p> + +<p>“Ah, Mr. Stuart,” said the countess, “I do +not know what chance brought you to my rescue, +but help was greatly needed and I am grateful.”</p> + +<p>“Ruth overheard a talk this evening and sent +us here to see if we could serve you. The plot +was instigated by Monsieur Duval.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span> +</p> + +<p>“That old man was Monsieur Duval himself. +He is a very dangerous enemy to have.”</p> + +<p>“That I already know, Countess. After we +learned of your danger, Mollie gave me the +paper you had put in her care. It was hardly +prudent to give such a document to a young girl. +I think we are entitled to an explanation.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, please not to-night, Monsieur! But +may I ask you to bring Miss Stuart and the girls +here to-morrow afternoon? Then I shall be +glad to tell you my story.”</p> + +<p>“Very well,” replied Mr. Stuart stiffly, displeased +at the countess’ lack of frankness.</p> + +<p>On Mr. Stuart’s return to the hotel the girls +overwhelmed him with questions and called +eagerly for a glimpse of the mysterious paper.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart unfolded the document. It was +signed by the Prefect of Police of Paris and +stamped with the official seal. Two photographs +were pasted to the sheet and under each +was a description of the man.</p> + +<p>“The count and Monsieur Duval!” gasped +Ruth.</p> + +<p>From the paper the girls learned that Duval +was a French criminal who had served several +terms in prison, but who was usually clever +enough to escape detection. His real name was +Jacques Dupin. The “count,” whose name was +Latour, was merely a tool of Dupin’s. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span> +</p> + +<p>“This says,” cried Ruth excitedly, scanning +the paper, “that Dupin can assume any disguise +he wishes. He is a linguist and a trained +actor and is known as Gentilhomme Jacques, or +Gentleman Jack. He plays only for big +stakes.”</p> + +<p>“How did the countess become involved in +this, Mr. Stuart?” asked Barbara, and at the +question Mollie’s pretty face clouded.</p> + +<p>“The countess has asked us to the villa to-morrow +afternoon to offer an explanation,” replied +Mr. Stuart shortly.</p> + +<p>At noon the next day Ruth rushed up to her +companions with exciting news.</p> + +<p>“Girls, the count, or Latour, was arrested +this morning when about to board a train and +has confessed that he had plotted to marry +Maud, obtain control of her fortune, and then +desert her! Duval was the brains of the plot. +Mrs. Smythe was helping them, and, listen girls, +she’s been arrested as a professional swindler!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, poor Marian!” exclaimed Mollie sympathetically, +to be echoed by the others. But +just at that moment Marian came up to them, +her face radiant.</p> + +<p>“Oh, girls, such news! Mrs. Smythe accused +me last night of spoiling her plans, and in her +anger she let out that she’s not my mother! My +mother, who died when I was a baby, was her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span> +neighbor. Some money was left me and Mrs. +Smythe was made my guardian. She used the +money, of course, and kept the truth from me. +My name is Marian Dale. I’m poor, but I’m +free for the first time in my life, and I’ll work!”</p> + +<p>Mr. Stuart had come up and heard the last +part of the tale; so he now broke in:</p> + +<p>“You are not friendless, my girl. You must +stay here as my guest with my other girls for +a while, then we’ll discuss your future.”</p> + +<p>“You are kind, Mr. Stuart. But I can’t be a +burden. I must find work at once. But, oh, +I’m grateful to you!” and her eyes were misty.</p> + +<p>“I must turn my other girls on you, I see.”</p> + +<p>Maud Warren was a changed girl when she +realized the danger her headstrong conduct had +placed her in. Her father, feeling that a real +reformation had begun, asked Marian Dale to +come to them as Maud’s companion and encourage +her in a saner view of life. This appealed +to Maud, and the two girls became close friends, +much to the happiness of both.</p> + +<p>That afternoon when the “Automobile Girls” +arrived at the countess’s villa they were introduced +to the Baron von Lichtenberg, who, the +countess told them, bore a message from her +father.</p> + +<p>To the girls’ amazement and fluttered delight, +the countess was in reality the Princess Sophia +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span> +Adele von Nichtenstern. The princess wished +to marry the Count de Sonde; and when her +father insisted that she marry instead a noble +of advanced years for reasons of state, she fled +to America under the protection of her cousin +and second mother, the Baroness von Lichtenberg, +whom the girls knew as Madame de +Villiers.</p> + +<p>“But since then, my friends, my father has +met the Count de Sonde and he has also learned +how greatly the man for whom he intended me +has persecuted me, so he has given his consent +to my marriage with the count. You can imagine +my consternation when I met the false +Count de Sonde and learned that he was trying +to marry your friend Maud. I then sent to +Paris and learned the identity of these two men. +I wish to tell you, too, that both Monsieur Duval +and my other persecutors have been using my +maid, and that on several occasions she has +taken my clothes and impersonated me.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Stuart, I did wrong to involve the +pretty Mollie in my affairs; but my father had +not then forgiven me and I feared to have him +learn at that time of my whereabouts. Will +you forgive me?”</p> + +<p>The princess was to start for home almost immediately +under the protection of the Baron +and Baroness von Lichtenberg, but before +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span> +leaving Florida she exacted a promise from each of +the “Automobile Girls” and from Maud Warren +as well that they would visit her when she +should become the wife of the Count de Sonde.</p> + +<p>After the princess had left Palm Beach a +package was handed to Miss Stuart. In it was +a gift for each of the Automobile Girls. Mollie +received a handsome bracelet beautifully ornamented +and set with jewels. Inside was inscribed +“S von N.—F. de S.”</p> + +<p>“Oh,” cried Mollie, “the count gave her this! +How she must have loved it, and she gave it to +me!”</p> + +<p>Barbara’s gift was a gold filigree star of exquisite +workmanship; Ruth’s a splendid oriental +scarf embroidered in gold and silver threads, +and Grace’s a beautiful gold chain.</p> + +<p>The “Automobile Girls” spent two more gay +and happy weeks at Palm Beach, then turned +their faces northward once more, each going to +her own home.</p> + +<p>It was not until the next winter that they +were together again, and what befell them then +is told in the sixth and last volume of “<span class='sc'>The +Automobile Girls Series</span>” under the title, +“<span class='sc'>The Automobile Girls at Washington</span>; Or, +Checkmating the Plots of Foreign Spies.”</p> + + +<p style="text-align:center;">THE END</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach, by +Laura Dent Crane + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH *** + +***** This file should be named 38123-h.htm or 38123-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/1/2/38123/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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