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+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: ASCII
+
+*** 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
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The Girls Sat On the Broad Piazza.]
+
+
+
+
+THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM BEACH
+
+OR
+
+PROVING THEIR METTLE UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES
+
+By
+
+LAURA DENT CRANE
+
+  Author of The Automobile Girls at Newport, The Automobile
+  Girls in the Berkshires, The Automobile Girls Along the
+  Hudson, The Automobile Girls at Chicago, etc.
+
+Illustrated
+
+PHILADELPHIA
+
+HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY
+
+
+
+
+Copyright, 1913, by
+
+Howard E. Altemius
+
+PRINTED IN U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+        I. The Land of Dreams                            7
+       II. A West Indian Squall                         21
+      III. The Fair Unknown                             32
+       IV. The Compact                                  43
+        V. The Daughter of Mrs. De Lancey Smythe        51
+       VI. The Countess Sophia                          64
+      VII. Tea in the Cocoanut Grove                    75
+     VIII. The Warning                                  87
+       IX. A Case of Mistaken Identity                  95
+        X. The Secret Signals                          105
+       XI. Wheels Within Wheels                        113
+      XII. Maud Refuses to Be Rescued                  123
+     XIII. A Surprise Party                            132
+      XIV. The Plot Thickens                           147
+       XV. Caught Napping                              154
+      XVI. Welcome and Unwelcome Guests                166
+     XVII. The Midnight Intruder                       179
+    XVIII. The Water Fete                              189
+      XIX. Red Dominos                                 200
+       XX. Conclusion                                  204
+
+
+
+
+The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE LAND OF DREAMS
+
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Well, my dear, you have only to gaze about you and see for yourself. It
+is now high noon," answered Ruth, consulting her watch.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"I haven't any wish," responded Barbara. "I am too happy to be troubled
+with wishes."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Here comes your spirit aunt," returned Mr. Stuart, smiling. "She has
+evidently been spirited away by some other friendly spirits."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"She looks as haughty as ever, and then some more," said Mollie
+aggressively.
+
+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.
+
+After seeing that his charges were supplied with lemonade, Mr. Stuart
+had returned to his paper.
+
+"Robert," broke in Miss Sallie's dignified voice, "this is Mr. Warren
+and his daughter Miss Warren. They----"
+
+But at the first word Mr. Stuart had risen and the two men were
+enthusiastically shaking hands.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I am deeply sorry to hear of your great loss," sympathized Mr. Stuart
+and his fine face saddened. He too had known that loss.
+
+Turning to Maud who had been exchanging 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."
+
+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.
+
+"I should like to stay eighteen forever," exclaimed Ruth, with
+enthusiasm.
+
+"Would you indeed?" remarked Maud Warren, raising her eyebrows. "How
+odd!"
+
+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
+"Automobile Girls in the Berkshires," they had not been impressed with
+Maud Warren, on account of her disagreeable and overbearing manner. But
+the blase air that she now affected, was in their candid eyes extremely
+ridiculous, and her remark to Ruth had filled them all with unseemly
+mirth.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 "The Automobile Girls in the Berkshires," 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.
+
+After a winter of hard study, the "Automobile Girls" were again
+reunited, and in "The Automobile Girls Along the Hudson," 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.
+
+The best work since their initial adventure, however, had been done in
+Chicago, and the record of it, set down in "The Automobile Girls at
+Chicago," 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+It had been an enchanted land, Barbara reflected rather resentfully, now
+the enchantment was broken.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Indeed," replied Miss Sallie. "We arrived yesterday. Therefore we have
+met no one, as yet."
+
+"Of course not," agreed Maud. "You really must meet them!"
+
+"I should be pleased to meet any friends of yours, Miss Warren," replied
+Miss Stuart courteously.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Won't you come for a sail? It will be awfully good of you."
+
+"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."
+
+"Are you sure your launch won't pitch, Mr. Warren?" inquired Miss
+Stuart.
+
+"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."
+
+While they had been making their plans for 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.
+
+But Barbara had observed him. She had an unquenchable curiosity
+concerning faces. And this man appeared indefinably interesting.
+
+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.
+
+As the party was about to separate for luncheon two women appeared in a
+nearby doorway and stood looking up and down the piazza.
+
+"Oh, there are dear Marian and her mother!" cried Maud, hurrying over to
+greet her friends.
+
+"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?"
+
+Mr. Warren turned red. A look of disappointment, verging on anger crept
+into his good-natured brown eyes as his daughter deliberately defied
+him.
+
+The De Lancey Smythes glanced toward the Stuart party, with bored
+indifference.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Maud is always so thoughtful of her friends," murmured Mrs. De Lancey
+Smythe, turning to Miss Sallie with well simulated appreciation. "She
+knows how fond we are of sailing."
+
+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.
+
+"I hope you and your 'Automobile Girls' will not disappoint me," he said
+pleadingly.
+
+"Thank you," responded Miss Stuart. "We shall be pleased to go."
+
+With a formal bow to Mrs. De Lancey Smythe and her daughter, Miss Sallie
+marshaled her little force and left the piazza.
+
+"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.
+
+"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----"
+
+"I think they're the nicest looking girls I've seen for a long time.
+Ever so much nicer than Maud Warren," exclaimed Marian.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"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
+other woman has ever interested me." He paused a moment, then looked
+away, while Mr. Stuart patted his shoulder sympathetically.
+
+"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'?"
+
+"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."
+
+"But you understand, Bob, we shall be obliged to go at this business
+tactfully," 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."
+
+"Oh, Sallie will manage. Trust Maud to her, my friend. And now, let's go
+in to luncheon," returned Mr. Stuart.
+
+At luncheon, Mr. Stuart repeated his conversation with Mr. Warren to
+Miss Sallie and the "Automobile Girls."
+
+"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."
+
+The girls also promised their aid. And so, for the time being, the
+matter was settled.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A WEST INDIAN SQUALL
+
+
+By half past two that afternoon Mr. Warren's launch with its party of
+pleasure seekers was well under way.
+
+The "Automobile Girls" had gathered in 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
+manoeuvres of the other woman with well-veiled contempt, and the
+conversation became general.
+
+"Do you know many people here, Mrs. Smythe?" asked Miss Sallie, turning
+to the other woman.
+
+"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 people I know well, arrived to-day, however.
+The young Count de Sonde and his friend, Monsieur Duval."
+
+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.
+
+"A real count!" exclaimed Mollie. "How interesting!"
+
+"Oh, we know lots of titled people," Marian interposed. "There were two
+countesses and a marquis at our hotel in Newport last summer."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+The launch was now running far out from the shore, which was lined with
+pretty villas, 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.
+
+"Oh, Marian, there is the Count de Sonde with his friend!" exclaimed her
+mother. "How fortunate that we should run across them, just now."
+
+"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."
+
+"No; he is the slender, dark-haired one," returned Mrs. Smythe. "He is
+dressed in white."
+
+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.
+
+"Are my girls having a good time?" he queried, smiling into four
+charming faces.
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed four voices in chorus.
+
+"We thought the scenery beautiful in the Berkshires and along the Hudson
+river, Mr. Stuart. But this is the most beautiful of all!" cried Mollie,
+clasping her small hands ecstatically.
+
+"Do you suppose people ever really work here?" inquired Grace. "It is
+like fairy land. Everything happens by magic."
+
+"You are right, Grace. This is a land of pleasure," returned Mr. Stuart.
+"The only people who work are the employes in the hotels and the
+servants in the cottages."
+
+"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."
+
+"Why is Palm Beach an accident?" queried Mollie.
+
+"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."
+
+Mr. Stuart pinched his daughter's cheek. "You've been stealing a march
+on us, Mistress Ruth," he said. "You have been reading a guide book."
+
+Just then a shadow clouded the brilliant sunshine. The engineer of the
+launch glanced up uneasily.
+
+"You don't think it is going to rain, do you?" asked Mr. Warren.
+
+"It would be a very unusual thing if it did, sir," replied the man,
+without committing himself.
+
+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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Very well, my dear," replied her father, turning to give his order to
+the engineer.
+
+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 frail craft. The other one, in white,
+stood at the side of the boat, scanning the water.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The engineer of Mr. Warren's launch did not wait for orders. He turned
+at once toward the drifting craft.
+
+"Is your engine broken?" he asked, as the boats touched sides.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+In the meantime the friend had arisen from the engine. He was examining
+the boatload of people with guarded interest.
+
+"How do you do, Count? How are you, Monsieur Duval?" called Mrs. De
+Lancey Smythe.
+
+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.
+
+But Mrs. De Lancey Smythe persisted. Mr. Warren and his friends must
+meet the Count de Sonde and Monsieur Duval.
+
+Suddenly the heavens were shaken by a terrific clap of thunder.
+
+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?"
+
+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.
+
+The "Automobile Girls" crouched in the centre of the boat. Maud and
+Marian followed Mrs. Smythe.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"What an escape!" gasped Mrs. Smythe. "Marian, my darling, are you all
+right?"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"My lady would be glad if you would seek shelter from the storm in her
+house," he said in broken English to Mr. Warren.
+
+It was great fun to scamper through the 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.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+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
+shone on the gold outlines and threw them into dull relief.
+
+Bab saw the Frenchman, Monsieur Duval, walk over to this table. He
+examined the crest intently for a moment, then turned away.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE FAIR UNKNOWN
+
+
+"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.
+
+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."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Are these your four daughters?" asked the young mistress of the villa,
+turning to Mr. Stuart, after a friendly glance at the "Automobile
+Girls."
+
+"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'!"
+
+"Ah," replied the young woman apparently 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."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+Mollie looked long into the beautiful face. Somehow its hidden sadness
+touched her. Mollie's blue eyes filled with tears. She felt strangely
+timid.
+
+"Why, you must not be afraid of me, dear one," said the young woman. She
+gazed into 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Which one of you is Bab? And what a pretty name that is!" exclaimed the
+young hostess.
+
+Barbara stepped forward with a friendly smile. Mr. Stuart then presented
+Grace and Ruth.
+
+But still their new friend did not reveal her identity.
+
+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.
+
+Presently the man servant returned to the 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.
+
+The man lit the candles and a lamp covered with a yellow shade.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Ah, that is broad flattery," cried their hostess with a silvery laugh.
+"But oh so charming."
+
+"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."
+
+The "Automobile Girls" exchanged lightning glances. Mrs. Smythe's abrupt
+remark jarred upon them, and simultaneously it occurred to them that she
+was distinctly underbred.
+
+Marian's face flushed, and she bit her lip. "I think this quiet place
+must be enchanting," she said almost defiantly. "I hate hotels."
+
+"Really, Marian," said her mother coldly. "Your opinion has not been
+solicited."
+
+"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."
+
+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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Why German?" replied the old lady, observing her questioner with a
+dangerous glitter in her small black eyes.
+
+Mrs. De Lancey Smythe showed signs of confusion.
+
+"I thought you were Germans because you spoke German to your servant,"
+she said, trying to look haughty and thus carry off what promised to be
+an unpleasant situation.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Count de Sonde!" called Mrs. De Lancey Smythe suddenly.
+
+There was an immediate lull in the conversation.
+
+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.
+
+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?"
+
+"No, no, dear child," replied the other. "It was only a momentary
+faintness. But did I not hear some one call the Count de Sonde? Is he
+here?"
+
+"Oh, yes," returned Mollie politely. "He is that young man in white, who
+is now talking with Mrs. De Lancey Smythe."
+
+Her hostess turned quickly. She looked a long time at the young count.
+"Who is the other man near him?" she next asked.
+
+Mollie was again her informant. "He is a Mr. Duval," she explained. "He
+and the Count de Sonde are at the same hotel together."
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+The tea-cup of their hostess crashed to the floor. It broke into small
+pieces.
+
+"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.
+
+"Yes, Papa and I shall go," Maud replied. "It would be quite novel to
+visit a chateau."
+
+"Delightful. But where is the chateau of the De Sonde family?" inquired
+the other young woman.
+
+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."
+
+"I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting the count," suggested Maud's
+hostess. "Perhaps you will present him to me."
+
+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.
+
+"Oh, yes, I hasten to assure you, it is quite, quite old," the count
+explained. He was talking of his family in Brittany.
+
+"How far back does your family go?" went on his unknown questioner.
+
+The count cleared his throat and choked over his fresh cup of tea.
+
+"My friend's family goes back to the eleventh century," answered Duval
+quietly. The count was still coughing violently.
+
+"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?"
+
+She looked at the young man with such grave sweetness that he smiled
+uneasily and shifted his gaze.
+
+"I hope to marry some day, Mademoiselle," he mumbled.
+
+"You have some very old families in Germany also, have you not?"
+inquired Monsieur Duval, looking searchingly at the young woman.
+
+Did she pause a moment before she answered? Bab and Ruth both thought
+so.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"How very interesting!" exclaimed the youthful hostess, in an enigmatic
+tone. "Do 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.
+
+"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!"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Oh how lovely!" breathed Mollie.
+
+"We shall be very happy, indeed to come," Mr. Stuart replied.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE COMPACT
+
+
+"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."
+
+"Why?" inquired Grace, who was not gifted with an Oriental imagination.
+
+"Because, if there had been no storm, there would have been no Countess
+Sophia," replied her friend.
+
+"She is hard to understand, but she is so beautiful, so gentle and so
+noble," observed Barbara.
+
+"And she kissed me!" cried Mollie.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Destroy her beauty!" cried Barbara. "Cut off her curls and give her two
+black eyes."
+
+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:
+
+"Children, remember that this is a hotel."
+
+The girls subsided.
+
+"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.
+
+"It would be rather rushing things," answered Barbara.
+
+"If you will be good, and promise not to lay violent hands on me again,
+I will tell you something," Mollie volunteered.
+
+"We promise," cried three voices in unison.
+
+"The countess is going to ask us to luncheon to-morrow. She whispered it
+to me just before we left her villa this afternoon."
+
+"Oh, joy!" exclaimed Ruth. "Do you mean that she intends to invite the
+entire party--the De Lancey Smythes and all that aggregation?"
+
+"No," Mollie declared, answering Ruth's previous question. "The countess
+intends to invite only Miss Sallie, Mr. Stuart and the 'Automobile
+Girls.'"
+
+"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."
+
+"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 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.
+
+"Well, Sherlock, what do you think?" queried Ruth impertinently. "And
+when you unearth her family skeleton may I go along and play Doctor
+Watson?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I believe I could bear that misfortune," sighed Mollie.
+
+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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I'll tell you a secret," said Barbara slowly. "I think that Maud was
+impressed with the Count de Sonde, or rather his title."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Hear, hear," cried Ruth, "Mollie the worldly wise is holding forth!"
+
+"Well, you needn't make fun of me, Ruth," 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!"
+
+"I should say so," averred Grace, who always championed Mollie's cause.
+
+"What's your opinion of the Count de Sonde, Barbara?" asked Ruth.
+
+"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."
+
+"That exactly describes him," Ruth agreed. "I imagine him trilling a
+silly French song:
+
+  "'Bonjour, mesdames! bonjour, messieurs!
+  Je suis le Comte de Sonde!'"
+
+Ruth bowed low, first to Mollie and then to Grace. She shrugged her
+dainty shoulders in a perfect imitation of the count.
+
+"But what about Monsieur Duval?" queried Mollie.
+
+"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!"
+
+"But do you suppose they really have a game to play?" persisted Ruth.
+
+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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"What kind of compact, child?" Bab demanded.
+
+"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. 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."
+
+The four girls clasped hands. They could not foresee into what
+difficulties this compact would lead them.
+
+Tap! tap! Miss Sallie knocked again at the door.
+
+"Go to bed at once; it is very late," she ordered.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"I wonder what the Countess Sophia's history is?" thought Ruth sleepily,
+as she dropped into slumber once more.
+
+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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE DAUGHTER OF MRS. DE LANCEY SMYTHE
+
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 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.
+
+So the girls were alone when they were joined on the piazza by Mrs. De
+Lancey Smythe and Marian.
+
+"Good morning, my dears," said Mrs. De Lancey Smythe, with an attempt at
+affability. "Isn't it delightful after the storm?"
+
+"Very," answered Ruth, rather shortly.
+
+"Have you seen dear Maud and her father this morning?" pursued Mrs.
+Smythe, ignoring Ruth's lack of cordiality.
+
+"No," replied Ruth. "Have you?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"An impostor!" exclaimed Ruth indignantly. "I think she is simply
+perfect. I never met any one in my life who impressed me so much."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+Ruth drew Barbara's arm through hers. They moved away from Mrs. De
+Lancey Smythe.
+
+But Mrs. De Lancey Smythe had said her say and left a sting, and she
+smiled maliciously as the two girls walked away.
+
+"I can't endure that woman, Barbara," exclaimed Ruth. "I'll lose my head
+completely if she attacks our beautiful countess again."
+
+"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?"
+
+"I suppose so," assented Ruth, whose enthusiasm had somewhat cooled over
+night. "I don't want her. But we ought to be polite."
+
+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.
+
+"I am looking for the count," she declared defiantly.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, do come, Maud," begged Ruth, with a charming, cordial smile. Ruth's
+sweet nature was again asserting itself.
+
+"Yes, do," cried Mollie and Grace, who had just joined the little group
+of girls.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"All right, old water dog," Ruth agreed. "Meet us on the piazza looking
+toward the ocean, Maud. We will be back in ten minutes."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+The entire party started down the avenue of palms toward the ocean.
+
+The "Automobile Girls" were thrilled with the beauty of the great
+stretch of blue water. Marian De Lancey Smythe, too, had a soul 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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+"Are you unhappy, Marian?" she asked.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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."
+
+"Why, Marian!" exclaimed Bab. "What is the matter? I had no idea you
+were so unhappy."
+
+"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."
+
+"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----"
+
+"Don't speak of my mother!" ejaculated the 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."
+
+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.
+
+"Marian," she began. But she never finished for just then a piercing cry
+rang out.
+
+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.
+
+Quick as a flash Barbara kicked off her white canvas pumps and threw hat
+and linen coat on the ground.
+
+Extending her hands before her, she ran out 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.
+
+However, Bab was not thinking of aid. She made straight for the little
+head, which rose for the second time above the waves.
+
+When Barbara reached the spot where she had last seen the child's head
+she dived beneath the surface of the water.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+As for the Count de Sonde, he was nowhere to be seen, while Maud Warren
+stood on the shore helplessly wringing her hands.
+
+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.
+
+Bab flung herself down in the warm sand. Mollie, Ruth and Grace hung
+over her anxiously.
+
+"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."
+
+"You dear, dear girl," said Mollie with a half sob. "How splendid of
+you!"
+
+Then the three girls surrounded Marian and hugged her until they were
+almost as wet as she was.
+
+"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."
+
+"Marian," called the cold tones of her mother. "Go up to the hotel at
+once and change your clothing. Your appearance is disgraceful."
+
+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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Really, Miss Thurston," retorted Mrs. Smythe, "I addressed my remark to
+Marian."
+
+"Yes," said Bab, her eyes flashing, "but you included me in it,
+therefore I felt justified in answering it."
+
+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."
+
+Utterly ignoring Mrs. Smythe, Ruth turned on her heel and accompanied by
+Grace and Mollie continued the stroll along the beach.
+
+"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."
+
+"She found her match in Mistress Barbara," observed Grace. "She can't
+intimidate our Bab."
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+THE COUNTESS SOPHIA
+
+
+To be at luncheon with a real countess? What bliss!
+
+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."
+
+To-day the countess was more gentle, more beautiful than she had seemed
+at first. And there was less formality in her manner.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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: 'This is just another of the countess's pranks, asking these
+strangers to luncheon. But if they amuse her--why not!'"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"There were no men near," Ruth replied. "You see, it was very early in
+the morning. Only the nurse girls and children were abroad."
+
+"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."
+
+"The Count de Sonde! Oh, yes," continued Ruth, "I had forgotten him."
+
+The countess look startled.
+
+"The Count de Sonde!" she repeated in a puzzled fashion. "He refused to
+help? He ran away?" An expression of incredulity crossed her face.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"I, also, am but a chance acquaintance," smiled the young countess.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+The countess looked puzzled.
+
+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 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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Now, Father, you are teasing," exclaimed his daughter.
+
+"How can you accuse me of any such thing?" replied Mr. Stuart, his eyes
+twinkling.
+
+"He always teases," Ruth explained to the countess and Madame de
+Villiers. "It's 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."
+
+"Ruth, my dear," expostulated Miss Stuart. "You are entirely too
+impetuous!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"What do you mean, Ruth?" interrupted her father gravely.
+
+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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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----"
+
+"Ruth, my dear child!" protested Miss Sallie greatly shocked.
+
+But old Madame de Villiers' eyes gleamed with amusement.
+
+"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 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?"
+
+"That is just what we agreed last night," Ruth confessed.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"Or you might prove that he is not a count," interposed Madame de
+Villiers, with an inscrutable expression on her grim old face.
+
+"Do you believe that he is an impostor, Madame de Villiers?" inquired
+Miss Sallie.
+
+For a brief instant the countess's eyes met those of Madame de Villiers.
+
+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.
+
+The countess blushed hotly. There was an awkward silence.
+
+Miss Sallie was sorry she had spoken. But 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+Madame de Villiers now led the way into the drawing room.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+"She is very beautiful and charming," replied Miss Sallie cordially.
+"You see how she has fascinated our girls."
+
+"So she does everyone," replied Madame de Villiers, shaking her head
+somewhat sadly.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"We must have him, if Maud won't come without him," replied Ruth. "Maud
+must be 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?"
+
+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?"
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"A white ribbon bow worn on the left shoulder, means that a secret
+meeting must be called at once!" Grace declaimed.
+
+"And a blue ribbon bow, worn instead of a 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."
+
+"But what about a night signal?" asked Grace, who was taking the signals
+very seriously.
+
+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.
+
+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!
+
+"I wonder if he has been eavesdropping?" asked Ruth indignantly.
+
+"Oh well, he has heard nothing but make-believe," the countess replied
+lightly, as she led her guests back to the villa.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+TEA IN THE COCOANUT GROVE
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"This place is truly heavenly," exclaimed the Countess Sophia von
+Stolberg. She leaned 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.
+
+"Very happy, my dear," she declared. "This is not a place to remember
+one's troubles."
+
+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.
+
+"Yes; this is a small sized heaven," agreed Bab. "A kind of oasis in a
+desert, for over there are the Everglades."
+
+"And what are the Everglades?" inquired the countess.
+
+"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."
+
+"It would not be pleasant to be lost in such a place," suggested Mollie.
+She was thinking of her own experience when she was lost in the forest
+in the Berkshire Hills.
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, don't worry," laughed Mollie. "Being lost once was enough for me."
+
+"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.
+
+"I am sure we agree to that," declared Ruth.
+
+Walking along the road ahead of them, Barbara espied two figures.
+
+"Do you know," she demanded, "I believe those two people just in front
+of us are Maud Warren and her count."
+
+It really was Maud loitering along the road accompanied by the count.
+
+"Stop our car, Robert," ordered Miss Sallie.
+
+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.
+
+"Do you mean you were out motoring alone with the Count de Sonde?"
+inquired Miss Stuart severely.
+
+"Why not?" answered Maud, looking insolently at Miss Sallie.
+
+"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.
+
+Maud made no reply. Two angry spots glowed in her cheeks.
+
+The countess now made up her mind to intercede. She did not wish Maud to
+fly into a rage.
+
+"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."
+
+Maud favored the countess with a chilly stare.
+
+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?
+
+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 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."
+
+In the meantime naughty Mollie was taking a slight revenge upon the
+count.
+
+"You are quite athletic, are you not?" she asked him innocently, her
+baby blue eyes fastened on his.
+
+"I, athletic?" exclaimed the little count in surprise. "Not very,
+Mademoiselle. Why do you ask?"
+
+"Because you run so well," Mollie answered, with a far-away look.
+
+"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."
+
+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."
+
+"Ah, Mademoiselle Marian? I saw her later," laughed the count. "How
+droll was her appearance and that of your sister also."
+
+Mollie heartily disgusted with the little count turned her back on him.
+
+"Get into the motor car, both of you," ordered Miss Sallie firmly.
+
+A few minutes later their automobile reached the entrance to the
+cocoanut grove.
+
+"Papa, let us stop here and have tea?" asked Ruth.
+
+"A good idea, Ruth," agreed Mr. Stuart, giving the chauffeur the order.
+
+"I am very sorry," interrupted the countess. "But I fear I cannot stop
+this afternoon."
+
+"Oh, please do, Countess!" urged Ruth and her friends. Even Maud's voice
+was heard to join in the general chorus.
+
+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.
+
+"After all, I cannot resist your invitation, Mr. Stuart," the young
+woman agreed. "But may I ask you not to stay long?"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+When tea was served the countess was obliged to throw back her veil.
+
+Madame de Villiers looked at her disapprovingly. Then the old woman cast
+hurried glances about her, but was apparently satisfied.
+
+As for the young countess, she took in a deep 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.
+
+"I am fascinated, enchanted!" she exclaimed. "Mr. Stuart, I thank you
+for the pleasure of this afternoon."
+
+There was always a slight formality in the young countess's manner which
+kept people at a distance.
+
+"Do not thank me, Countess," protested Mr. Stuart. "You and Madame de
+Villiers are conferring an honor upon us."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 trouble. She should have all the aid that
+the "Automobile Girls" could give.
+
+"I understand," Mollie now whispered back to her in a low voice. "What
+shall I do?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Ruth and I will go with you. Don't be worried; we will go quietly.
+Wait, I must speak to her."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Why, of course," answered Ruth politely, although she was somewhat
+mystified.
+
+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.
+
+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:
+
+"Beware of the countess. She is an impostor."
+
+Mr. Stuart crushed the paper in his hand.
+
+"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.
+
+The young woman started hurriedly toward the gate. Madame de Villiers
+quickly followed her. So did Ruth, Mollie and Mr. Stuart.
+
+"Please wait here until we come back for you," Ruth said to her aunt.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+The man spoke again. This time his manner was insolent. Madame de
+Villiers's face grew dark with rage.
+
+"Hurry!" called Ruth to her chauffeur. Mr. Stuart sprang into the
+automobile.
+
+The machine sped on leaving the two strangers standing alone in the
+road.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Mollie and Ruth could not help puzzling over the countess as they rode
+back to the cocoanut grove. Mr. Stuart kept his own counsel.
+
+"I am certain there is some mystery about the countess," Ruth avowed.
+"But, whatever the mystery is, the 'Automobile Girls' are on her side!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE WARNING
+
+
+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
+tete-a-tete.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Where is Marian?" Ruth asked the widow abruptly, looking her straight
+in the eyes.
+
+Mrs. De Lancey Smythe's eyes dropped before Ruth's clear gaze. She
+twirled her parasol, looked annoyed then said frigidly: "Marian has a
+headache this afternoon."
+
+"I trust the wetting she got this morning had nothing to do with it."
+
+"Marian is an impulsive and reckless girl," snapped her mother. "She is
+entirely too fond of disregarding all conventions."
+
+"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?
+
+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.
+
+No sooner was Bab out of the automobile 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.
+
+She knocked at a door in the middle of a long narrow passage, and a
+faint voice said: "Come in."
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+Barbara looked at her with questioning eyes.
+
+"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 nothing to do with it, and
+that I mean to prevent it if I can?"
+
+Barbara, completely mystified, hardly knew what to reply.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+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 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?
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"You don't mean it," exclaimed Miss Sallie. "How dreadful!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"He had an engagement, and begged to be excused," replied Mr. Stuart.
+"He said he would return in a little while."
+
+"Speaking of angels," remarked Mollie, "here he comes now."
+
+"Yes, and he's towing along our pet aversion Mrs. D. L. Smythe," said
+Grace.
+
+Bab looked toward the approaching pair.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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. She was
+letting her imagination run riot. She resolved to dismiss the whole
+tiresome business from her mind, and enjoy herself.
+
+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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Very delightful," agreed Maud. "Don't you think so, Count?"
+
+"I shall be charmed," replied the little count, with an exaggerated bow.
+
+"But we shan't," whispered Mollie, naughtily to Barbara, under cover of
+general conversation.
+
+"In order to cure, we must endure," returned Bab in an undertone.
+Whereupon the sisters both chuckled softly.
+
+At this juncture Marian appeared at the end of the piazza, and came
+slowly toward the group. Her eyes still showed traces of tears, and she
+looked ill and wretched.
+
+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.
+
+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?"
+
+"It is not a question of what I like or dislike, Mr. Duval," said Marian
+curtly.
+
+"But what do you prefer?" persisted the Frenchman with a shade of
+interest in his manner.
+
+"To mind my own affairs," returned Marian coldly, turning her back on
+Monsieur Duval.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
+
+
+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.
+
+"Why don't you start a song?" called Ruth over her shoulder. "Grace,
+sing something. Sing 'My Old Kentucky Home.'"
+
+Grace sang the plaintive old melody in her sweet, high soprano voice.
+
+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?"
+
+"Won't you sing, Countess?" begged Mr. Stuart.
+
+The countess shook her head and smiled. "I do not care to sing alone,"
+she avowed. "But I am sure Monsieur Duval has the throat of a singer.
+Will you not sing a song of your country, Monsieur?"
+
+"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?
+
+The countess dropped her eyes under Mr. Duval's steady gaze.
+
+"I do not sing without an accompaniment, Monsieur," she said briefly.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Monsieur Duval's expression changed. But he said nothing. It was
+impossible to translate his peculiar look.
+
+"Do sing for us, Countess," begged Grace later. "I know you have a
+wonderful voice."
+
+"Remember, you are to give us a song of your country," Mr. Duval
+persisted.
+
+The countess made no reply to him. But in a voice clear as a bell she
+sang:
+
+  "Thou art like unto a flower."
+
+"But that is an English song," expostulated Mr. Duval when the countess
+had finished.
+
+"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."
+
+It was evident to her listeners that the Countess Sophia von Stolberg
+was proficient in half a dozen languages.
+
+Grace thought she caught a glimpse of concealed amusement on Madame de
+Villiers's face. But the stately old woman said nothing.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"How much land have you around your castle, Count?" asked Ruth.
+
+The count looked annoyed at the question. "It is a very large estate,"
+he answered vaguely.
+
+But Ruth was determined to secure definite information. "Is your chateau
+on a hill or in a valley?" she next inquired.
+
+The count shrugged his shoulders. "It is on the side of a mountain,
+overlooking a valley," he declared.
+
+The picnic party had now arrived in front of the cages containing the
+ostriches. The great birds were strolling about in fine disdain.
+
+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.
+
+[Illustration: The Count Walked With the Two Girls.]
+
+ "A number of times, Miss Stuart," answered Monsieur Duval. "The count
+and I are old friends."
+
+"Is it built on a mountain or in a valley?" queried Ruth. She did not
+know herself exactly why she repeated her question.
+
+"The Chateau de Sonde nestles in the heart of a valley," was Monsieur
+Duval's prompt answer.
+
+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.
+
+"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?
+
+"Come, everybody; it is time for luncheon," called Mr. Stuart an hour
+later, when his guests had finished their survey of the ostrich cages.
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+The others listened with delight.
+
+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 frightened the young Countess Sophia in the tea garden the
+afternoon before.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Madame," said the German, "you are wanted by the police. We have been
+sent to arrest you."
+
+Mrs. De Lancey Smythe gave a hysterical laugh of triumph.
+
+But the young countess quickly recovered her self-control.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+Madame de Villiers now arose. She lifted her great mahogany cane, her
+face dark with anger.
+
+"You will regret this day's work," she announced. "Be gone!"
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The foreigners went back to their carriage. After a slight delay they
+drove off, still muttering veiled threats.
+
+When they had disappeared down the avenue, Countess Sophia gave Mr.
+Stuart her hand.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE SECRET SIGNALS
+
+
+Ruth was stretched out on a steamer rug on the warm sands, lazily
+looking out over the blue waters.
+
+Barbara was disporting herself in the waves 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.
+
+But Ruth was not watching Barbara. She was thinking deeply.
+
+Why had the Countess Sophia von Stolberg refused to prosecute the two
+foreigners who had deliberately insulted her?
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+There was nothing more to be said.
+
+Ruth now observed these same two men. 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.
+
+The story that there was a notorious woman swindler at large at Palm
+Beach was now common gossip.
+
+"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.
+
+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?"
+
+Ruth started. She had been in a brown study, and was embarrassed and
+annoyed at having been caught speaking aloud.
+
+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.
+
+"To what suspicion do you refer, Mr. Duval?" Ruth asked haughtily. She
+knew this 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Mr. Duval was obliged to continue the conversation.
+
+"Do you wish to help your friend?" he asked Ruth quietly.
+
+"Of course," Ruth replied warmly.
+
+The Frenchman leaned over. "Then watch everything, but say nothing. And,
+above all things, do not have a too accurate memory."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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 well in my
+life as I do in this delightful place."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Are we going to dine with the countess to-morrow night?" asked Ruth
+impetuously.
+
+"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."
+
+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!
+
+"Here comes that Mrs. De Lancey Smythe," remarked Miss Sallie with
+sudden energy. "I do wish that woman would keep away from us."
+
+"Aunt Sallie," said Ruth, "what do you dislike most about Mrs. De Lancey
+Smythe?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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 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.
+
+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?
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS
+
+
+"Shall we go to the countess at once, Ruth?" asked Barbara.
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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 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."
+
+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."
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"I'll tell you what, Ruth," Bab suggested. "Let us make up our minds not
+to suspect the 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!"
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"Bab," said Ruth, at almost the same instant that the small car swept by
+them, "it is Monsieur Duval who is driving that car!"
+
+"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."
+
+"Bab, I think he is on his way to see the Countess Sophia von Stolberg,"
+Ruth announced with conviction.
+
+"He does not know the countess, does he?" Grace inquired. "I think he
+was introduced to her only through us."
+
+"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."
+
+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 horn. She swerved her great car to the
+left in order to pass the smaller one.
+
+Bab uttered a cry of terror. Mollie and Grace both screamed. Ruth's face
+turned white, but she had no time to scream.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+So the smaller of the two automobiles arrived first at the countess's
+villa.
+
+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."
+
+"What business can you have with me, Monsieur Duval?" asked the young
+countess coldly. But her voice trembled slightly.
+
+"I bring you news of a friend," declared Mr. Duval quietly.
+
+"I have no friends whom you could know, Monsieur," answered the Countess
+Sophia.
+
+"No?" her visitor replied, shrugging his shoulders and speaking in a
+light bantering tone. "Shall I inform you, then, and your young friends,
+whom I now see approaching?"
+
+Ruth's motor car was now in plain sight. The four girls rushed forward
+to join the countess.
+
+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.
+
+The countess spoke quickly. "No, no, you must say nothing to me, now. I
+cannot listen to you. Please go away."
+
+Bab noticed that the countess was trembling when she took her hand.
+
+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."
+
+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."
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+When the Frenchman had finally gone the countess turned to Mollie, and
+kissed her. Then she looked affectionately at Bab, Grace and Ruth.
+
+"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."
+
+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."
+
+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."
+
+The "Automobile Girls" were silent. They hardly knew what to reply.
+
+"I must try to tell you why I sent for you," the countess went on. "I
+want to warn you----"
+
+"About the Count de Sonde?" cried Mollie, who had never gotten over her
+first prejudice.
+
+"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----"
+
+"Is what?" asked Barbara.
+
+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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Need we to fear the Frenchman, Monsieur Duval?" Ruth asked
+thoughtfully.
+
+The countess was silent for a moment. Then she said slowly, "You must
+fear him most of all!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+MAUD REFUSES TO BE RESCUED
+
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Do you think Mr. Warren would disinherit Maud, if she married the
+count?" asked Bab.
+
+Ruth shook her head. "Mr. Warren gave 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!"
+
+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.
+
+There was the fire of battle in Miss Stuart's eye. On the widow's cheeks
+burned two flaming signals of wrath.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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."
+
+"Whom do you mean?" Miss Sallie demanded. She was exceedingly angry.
+
+"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."
+
+The "Automobile Girls" had moved up close to Miss Sallie. They waited to
+hear what she would say in regard to the countess.
+
+"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.
+
+In a few moments Maud Warren came over to where Miss Sallie and the
+"Automobile Girls" were still standing.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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."
+
+The "Automobile Girls" breathed a sigh of relief. They had feared
+another battle between Miss Sallie and Maud.
+
+"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.
+
+"I am glad you are enjoying yourself," replied Ruth. "We would be glad
+to see you often, but you always seem to be busy."
+
+Maud tried to look unconscious. "It's the count's fault. The poor fellow
+has a dreadful crush on me," she sighed.
+
+"Do you care for him?" asked Barbara bluntly.
+
+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!"
+
+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.
+
+"Then you really like the count very much!" exclaimed Mollie, opening
+her pretty blue eyes so wide that Maud was amused.
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"But do you know much about Mrs. De Lancey Smythe?" Ruth went on.
+
+Maud was nettled. "Mrs. De Lancey Smythe is a Virginian, and belongs to
+an old southern family," she returned.
+
+The "Automobile Girls" looked uncomfortable. It was Ruth who finally
+spoke.
+
+"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."
+
+"Careful about what?" cried Maud, though her flushed face betrayed the
+answer she expected.
+
+"The Count de Sonde," replied Ruth.
+
+"But what have you heard against him?" demanded Maud indignantly.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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."
+
+The girls ate their fudge in silence for a time. Maud did not return.
+
+"I wonder if Maud is coming back?" 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."
+
+"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?"
+
+Miss Sallie came into the room. "Where is Maud Warren?" she demanded
+immediately.
+
+The "Automobile Girls" could only explain Maud had gone to her room.
+
+Miss Sallie rang the bell, and sent a maid to inquire for Maud.
+
+The answer came back a few moments later. "Miss Warren had left the
+hotel for the evening with several friends."
+
+Miss Stuart said nothing. But the "Automobile Girls" knew Miss Sallie
+would never forgive Maud Warren for her disobedience.
+
+The four girls were almost ready to say good night, when another light
+tap sounded at their door.
+
+The girls lowered their voices. Perhaps Maud had lost heart, and had
+returned to them after all.
+
+Barbara went to the door. It was Marian De Lancey Smythe who had
+knocked. She wished to speak with Bab for a moment.
+
+Five minutes later Barbara returned to her friends, looking considerably
+mystified.
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, Marian asked me if we were going to the countess's to dinner
+to-morrow night," Bab replied.
+
+"What a strange question!" exclaimed Grace Carter. "I don't see why she
+should care where we go to dinner."
+
+"Perhaps she had some plan or other on hand herself that she wanted us
+to take part in," suggested Mollie.
+
+Bab was silent.
+
+"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."
+
+Just as Barbara was dropping off to sleep Ruth gave her a little shake.
+
+"Tell me Barbara Thurston, what Marian De Lancey Smythe said to you in
+the hall!"
+
+"I told you, child," murmured Bab hesitatingly.
+
+"Honor bright, did you tell us everything, Bab Thurston?"
+
+"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."
+
+"We'll go, sure as fate!" exclaimed Ruth. "No matter what Marian says."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A SURPRISE PARTY
+
+
+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.
+
+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 the cocoanut grove to drink lemonade and listen to the
+music.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Why do you ask?" said Marian, looking a little frightened.
+
+"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?"
+
+"I think the countess is very fascinating," was Marian's only reply.
+
+"Won't you even tell me why you told us to come home early if we did
+go?" persisted Barbara.
+
+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."
+
+"What are you two girls whispering about?" asked Ruth gayly. "Never have
+secrets from your little friends. It hurts their feelings, dreadfully."
+
+"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."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Fine!" exclaimed Ruth. "I never dreamed you could reel off nonsense
+like that, Marian."
+
+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.
+
+"Why did she shake her head at you, Bab?"
+
+"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?"
+
+"Go! Of course we will," cried Ruth. "I don't believe Marian has
+anything very serious on her mind."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+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.
+
+"How delightful not to be bored by stupid men!" exclaimed the countess,
+smiling at her 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."
+
+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.
+
+At each plate the countess herself had placed a small bunch of freesias,
+whose delicate perfume filled the room.
+
+"They are my favorite flowers," the hostess explained gently, "because
+they remind me of my beloved Italy."
+
+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 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+On the first landing of the stairs, Bab stopped. Ruth was ahead.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"What are you doing here?" Bab demanded bravely. "You are a thief!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+With a great effort she threw off the weakness that was overcoming her
+and looked out across the lawn.
+
+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.
+
+Barbara wondered if their terrible visitor had come from the boat lying
+there quietly on the moonlit waters.
+
+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.
+
+Still gripping her shoe horn Bab raced down the stairs, and parted the
+portieres that hung between the drawing room and hall.
+
+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.
+
+One of the men made a sudden stealthy move toward the countess.
+
+"Stand back," commanded Madame de Villiers.
+
+Just then Ruth's clear tones were heard outside the villa. "They're in
+that room! Oh, hurry please!"
+
+There was a sound of running feet and into the room darted two young men
+clad in white yachting clothes, and wearing officers' caps.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh you brave boys!" exclaimed Madame de Villiers as the young man
+entered the drawing-room where the women were huddled together talking
+excitedly.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+The reason for the appearance of the yacht "Restless" at this particular
+place and time is set forth in "The Motor Boat Club in Florida," the
+fifth volume of the "Motor Boat Club Series." 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.
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"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 you to procure a special officer to
+remain at the villa in case you should be annoyed further by these
+villains."
+
+"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."
+
+"We must return to the hotel, Countess," said Miss Stuart. "It is
+growing late and my brother will become uneasy about us."
+
+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.
+
+"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!"
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"Thank you," responded the young captain, "but we shall weigh anchor in
+the morning."
+
+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.
+
+"I'll send a man out to put that other car in shape to-morrow," he said
+to Ruth as they sped 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."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE PLOT THICKENS
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Where have you been keeping yourself, Marian?" asked Ruth.
+
+Marian flushed.
+
+"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?"
+
+"No," replied Ruth quickly. "Not since the dinner there. Have you heard
+anything about her?"
+
+"No," answered Marian shortly, and relapsed into moody silence.
+
+As they strolled leisurely along Barbara who had been walking ahead with
+Miss Stuart, dropped behind with Marian.
+
+"I want to ask you something, Marian," she began.
+
+"Little girls should never ask questions," said Marian lightly, but
+Barbara felt that her apparent unconcern was forced.
+
+"Have you heard about what happened at the villa the night we dined
+there?" persisted Bab.
+
+"I have heard something about it," admitted Marian, in a low voice. "It
+was an attempt to rob the countess, was it not?"
+
+"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 went up
+stairs after our wraps. I drove him from the room."
+
+"How did you ever do it, Bab?" asked Marian. There was an expression of
+absolute terror in her eyes.
+
+"You'll laugh when I tell you," replied Bab. "I drove him away with a
+shoe horn."
+
+"A shoe horn?" repeated Marian questioningly. "I don't understand."
+
+"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."
+
+"You are very brave, Bab," said Marian admiringly. "Considering the man
+with whom you had to deal you showed wonderful courage."
+
+"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?"
+
+Marian shook her head. Her lip quivered, and her eyes filled with tears.
+
+Barbara waited patiently for her to regain her self-control.
+
+"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."
+
+"Tell me, Marian," said Bab eagerly. "Do you know anything about the
+countess?"
+
+"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."
+
+Marian stretched out her hand and Bab clasped it. "Thank you, dear
+Marian," she said. "I know you will keep your word."
+
+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 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.
+
+"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 silvery tropical world before
+her. "Positively, I could sit out here all night!"
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Oh, Aunt Sallie!" exclaimed Ruth. "How can you be so cruel?"
+
+"'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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I thought you were going to picnic with us," said Grace flippantly.
+
+"So I am," replied Ruth calmly. "That statement was mere poetical
+license."
+
+"First find your poet," said Bab slyly.
+
+Whereupon there was a chorus of giggles at Ruth's expense, in which she
+good-naturedly joined.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+CAUGHT NAPPING
+
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"We're off!" cried Mr. Stuart joyously.
+
+"I believe you are just a great boy still, Robert," smiled Miss Sallie
+indulgently.
+
+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.
+
+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 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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"You are especially privileged to be allowed 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."
+
+"Is it so beautiful?" Ruth inquired.
+
+"Wait until you see it!" was Mr. Stuart's reply.
+
+The beach sloped upward so as to form a wall that completely hid the
+land behind it from view.
+
+Ruth and Barbara ran on ahead.
+
+"Oh, Father," cried Ruth excitedly. "This is a surprise!"
+
+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.
+
+"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. You may pull the violets, or walk on them.
+There are no park rules."
+
+"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."
+
+"We shall stay here, too," agreed Mollie and Grace. "I would rather
+gather violets than catch gold fish," Mollie assured Mr. Stuart.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+  "Oh, happy day, Oh, day so dear!"
+
+sang Countess Sophia as she stuck one of the beautiful yellow flowers
+into her dark hair and danced with Mollie over the sands.
+
+It was a happy day indeed--one that the 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.
+
+Several hours later the fishing party returned.
+
+"See what we've got!" Ruth exclaimed proudly, as she ran up the sand
+hill flourishing a string of speckled sea trout.
+
+"Miss am sho a lucky fisherman," agreed the old colored man in whose
+boat Mr. Stuart and the two girls had been fishing.
+
+"But where are your fish, Barbara?" Grace inquired.
+
+Mr. Stuart laughed. "Bab is the unluckiest fisherman that ever threw out
+a line," he explained. "Shall I tell them, Bab?"
+
+Barbara flushed. "Oh, go ahead," she consented.
+
+"Well," Mr. Stuart continued, "Miss Barbara Thurston caught a tarpon a
+yard long this morning."
+
+"Where is it?" cried the waiting audience.
+
+"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 could. But the tarpon was too
+heavy for it, and the line broke. Then Bab prepared to dive into the
+ocean after her fish."
+
+"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."
+
+"Reckless, Barbara!" cried Miss Stuart. "What will you do next!"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+After a hearty luncheon no one had much to 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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"It is high time we were leaving for home," said he to himself.
+
+But as he stepped to the edge of the embankment he saw his engineer
+still lying on the ground sleeping soundly.
+
+A small boat like a black speck disappeared around a curve in the shore.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"Whose work is this?" ejaculated Mr. Stuart, clenching his fists in
+impotent rage. Suddenly 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.
+
+He felt in his pockets. A pen-knife was his only tool or weapon.
+
+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.
+
+"Oh, dear, oh, dear!" wailed the countess, when Mr. Stuart had explained
+their plight. "Must I always bring ill-luck to you?"
+
+"Nonsense!" expostulated Mr. Stuart. "How could the wrecking of our
+engine have any connection with you, Countess?"
+
+Old Jim who still stood blinking and stretching now began to vaguely
+grasp the situation.
+
+"'Scuse me ladies," he mumbled. "I spects I'se jest been nappin' a
+little. I ain't been 'zactly asleep."
+
+The "Automobile Girls" laughed, in spite of the difficulties which
+confronted them.
+
+"Oh no, you haven't been asleep," Mr. Stuart assured him, "but that nap
+of yours was a close imitation of the real thing."
+
+Jim grinned sheepishly and hung his woolly head. "I 'low nothin' bad
+ain't happened, suh."
+
+"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?"
+
+"Lor', suh," exclaimed old Jim. "This am a lonesome spot. There ain't no
+village no wheres round heah!"
+
+"But where is the nearest house, then?" demanded Mr. Stuart.
+
+The darkey scratched his head reflectively.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"I got an old horse and wagon hitched near here, Massa," Jim returned.
+"I come over in it this morning."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+WELCOME AND UNWELCOME GUESTS
+
+
+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.
+
+"How beautiful!" exclaimed the four "Automobile Girls" in chorus.
+
+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.
+
+"I feel extremely uneasy, Robert," declared Miss Sallie, her face pale
+under the stress of the day's experiences.
+
+Old Madame de Villiers smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "I have no
+fear for myself," 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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"Will you see Miss Thorne first, Jim, and 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?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Is your mistress insane, Jim?" inquired Miss Sallie anxiously.
+
+"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."
+
+"Out with it, Jim. What is the lady's peculiarity?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Where is her family, Jim?" Ruth asked.
+
+"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.
+
+Miss Sallie shuddered. Grace and Mollie huddled close to her, while Ruth
+and Bab gave each other's hands re-assuring pressures.
+
+"Do you look after this Miss Thorne?" Mr. Stuart inquired further.
+
+"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."
+
+By this time Jim had climbed down from his shaky old wagon. He now
+opened the front door.
+
+"Walk right in," he said hospitably, making a low bow. "I'll go find
+Miss Rose."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 too happy to have you stay with us
+for the night."
+
+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?
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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."
+
+Then calling Chloe to her, she said in a loud whisper:
+
+"Notify Miss Lucy and Master Tom at once. Papa can wait. He is busy in
+the library."
+
+An uncanny silence followed Miss Thorne's 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.
+
+"I'll jes' show the ladies upstairs," she explained gently and her
+mistress made no objection.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+The countess and Grace laughed, but quickly their laugh died.
+
+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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+A spark of pleasure lit up the hostess's faded eyes for an instant. Then
+she shook her head sadly.
+
+"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."
+
+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?
+
+"How charmingly you play the harp, Miss Thorne," ventured the countess,
+when they had somewhat recovered themselves.
+
+"Ah," exclaimed the poor woman, smiling archly, "you must praise the
+right person, my dear. It was my sister Lucy who was playing."
+
+Miss Sallie dropped her fork with a loud clatter, while Mollie slipped
+her hand into the countess's and the other three girls linked their feet
+under the table, girl fashion.
+
+Jim, who, in an old black coat, was waiting on the table, smiled grimly
+and mumbled to himself.
+
+"But, young ladies," cried Miss Thorne, "you are not eating."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"A horrible old man!" she at last managed to articulate. "I saw him
+looking in at us!"
+
+"What old man?" demanded Mr. Stuart.
+
+"He was white haired and looked like a great ape," she gasped.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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!"
+
+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 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.
+
+[Illustration: The Countess Pointed Toward the Open Window.]
+
+ "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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"What kind of desperado organization is this?" he exclaimed, laughing in
+spite of himself at the ludicrous appearance this feminine vigilant
+committee made.
+
+"It's war to the knife," cried Ruth.
+
+"And the fork, too, I should say," laughed her father, "also the teapot,
+and--what on earth are you cherishing so fondly, Sallie?"
+
+"Cayenne pepper," responded Miss Sallie, "and I consider myself well
+armed, at that."
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE MIDNIGHT INTRUDER
+
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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."
+
+Mollie's blue eyes looked lovingly up into the 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."
+
+The countess kissed her.
+
+"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."
+
+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?"
+
+"Perhaps it was Jim closing up for the night," replied Mollie, pressing
+close to the countess for comfort. "But what was the favor? I will do
+anything for you."
+
+"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."
+
+Mollie looked puzzled. The countess's words were shrouded in mystery.
+
+"Does it concern the Count de Sonde, too?" she asked breathlessly.
+
+"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."
+
+The countess took from her dress a square, flat chamois bag which
+fastened with a clasp and evidently contained a document of some sort.
+
+"Fasten it into your dress with this pin," she said, "and keep the pin
+as a memento of our friendship."
+
+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.
+
+"Is this another secret session?" cried Ruth's voice gayly from the
+window.
+
+The two conspirators started nervously.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Goodness me!" cried Grace, "do change the subject, or we shall be
+afraid to go to bed at all."
+
+"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?"
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+Soon after Grace, Mollie and the countess stepped through the window,
+and down the balcony to their room.
+
+"You'd better close your shutters," called Grace over her shoulder.
+"We're going to."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Was that a noise?
+
+Ruth held her breath and listened. There was not a sound except the
+regular breathing of Miss Sallie.
+
+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.
+
+She sat up in bed and touched Barbara lightly on the cheek.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 ferocious looking old man possibly have in the
+drama?
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+The demented old woman played on in a wailing minor key, and presently
+footsteps were heard coming down the hall. By this time 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.
+
+"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."
+
+At that instant a melancholy strain like the wail of a lost soul rose
+from down stairs. Then all was silent.
+
+"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."
+
+"Shall we tell her?" whispered Ruth to Bab.
+
+"We'd better," nodded Bab. "Then she will be constantly on her guard."
+
+"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."
+
+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 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."
+
+"Aunt Sallie, shall I call Father?" asked Ruth a few moments later. The
+seven women were seated about the room in silent dejection.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"Hurrah!" shouted Ruth. "It's Mr. Warren. Oh, but I'm glad to see him."
+
+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 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.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE WATER FETE
+
+
+  "Roll along, roll along,
+    O'er the waters so blue,
+  We're afloat, we're afloat
+    In our birch bark canoe,"
+
+sang Grace's high sweet voice as their boat bobbed gayly up and down
+with the little rippling waves of the lake.
+
+"That is a pretty song, my dear child," 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."
+
+"The Count de Sonde is going to be at the fete 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."
+
+"In a canoe with that little foreigner!" cried Miss Sallie in amazement.
+"Does he know how to paddle?"
+
+"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.
+
+"I imagine his swimming and his canoeing are about alike," said Ruth
+aside to Barbara; "just paddling in shallow water."
+
+The "Automobile Girls" were busily engaged in decorating their launch
+for the Venetian Fete, 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.
+
+"There's not a boat on the lake that can 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.
+
+"If only the lanterns don't catch fire this evening," said Miss Sallie.
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"The count is quite an athlete, isn't he, Maud?" asked Mollie wickedly.
+"I should think he might lead the parade to-night."
+
+But Maud was not listening. Her whole attention was concentrated on the
+canoe, which was making straight for the launch.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Presently Barbara wiped the tears from her eyes and threw out a life
+preserver to the unfortunate man.
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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 blouse, was the dangerous paper which "concerned the
+count very intimately."
+
+Was it about that mysterious document that he was now writing to the
+countess?
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+Strangely enough, this speech came back to each of the three girls at
+the same moment.
+
+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.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+"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 dinner, rapping on three
+doors one after the other.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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
+fete to-night?"
+
+"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."
+
+"Very well, Miss Marian; you must go with us, then. Get your wraps and
+meet us on the piazza."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"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.
+
+Her father looked so grieved and annoyed that Mr. Stuart's heart was
+filled with compassion for his old friend.
+
+"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."
+
+He pressed the girl's hand but she drew away with a petulant expression.
+
+"Please don't, Papa. You know how I detest public demonstrations."
+
+"Oh-h-h!" cried the others.
+
+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.
+
+Other boats began dropping out of line after 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.
+
+"Why, Marian, I never dreamed you could sing like that," exclaimed Ruth,
+when the song was done.
+
+Marian blushed, but said nothing. She had hardly spoken during the whole
+evening.
+
+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.
+
+"I know whose voice that is," said Barbara. "It's Monsieur Duval's."
+
+"It is, I think," replied Ruth, "although the boat is too far away for
+us to see him plainly."
+
+Marian drew a scarf over her head and crouched down in her seat.
+
+"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 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.
+
+"Barbara," whispered Ruth, "are we dreaming or is it the Countess
+Sophia?"
+
+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.
+
+The boat skimmed lightly over the water and in a moment only the lantern
+at its bow could be seen swinging in the blackness.
+
+"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?"
+
+Marian opened her eyes and looked straight into Barbara's.
+
+"I am sorry, Barbara," she said sadly, "but I can't answer that question
+to-night."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+RED DOMINOS
+
+
+The water fete a thing of the past, the Warrens' domino ball became the
+excitement of the hour.
+
+The "Automobile Girls" were talking over their costumes when there came
+a rap on their door.
+
+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.
+
+    "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.
+
+                                                             "M. S."
+
+"'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."
+
+"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.
+
+"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."
+
+"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!"
+
+"Won't the count be suspicious on seeing five Mauds and change his
+plans?" asked Grace.
+
+"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.
+
+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.
+
+"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!"
+
+It was a brief statement of the plan, but Barbara understood.
+
+"Maud will not be easy to fool, and what if the count gets the right
+pair?"
+
+"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."
+
+"It leaves many loopholes for failure, but I can think of no better way;
+so I'm for it if your Aunt Sallie consents."
+
+"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."
+
+At last it was the night of the ball.
+
+"How lovely!"
+
+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.
+
+"Yes, lovely, but lovelier outside. Shall we go into the garden?"
+whispered a voice in the ear of the little red domino.
+
+"Not yet," she responded, and sped away among the dancers.
+
+"Mademoiselle," whispered a voice that made the blood of a second red
+domino tingle, "is it all arranged?"
+
+"Yes," she answered under her breath.
+
+"You won't fail us?" whispered the other.
+
+"No," she replied quietly, but there was a threat in his tone that boded
+evil. Then this red domino slipped away in the crowd.
+
+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.
+
+"Mademoiselle," he hissed, "you are cruel! Why do you avoid me so?"
+
+"Ah, Count, can't you wait so short a time?" and the third red domino
+was lost in the crowd.
+
+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:
+
+"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 after midnight. We must have
+that paper to-night, even though we use violence." The fourth red domino
+did not wait for more.
+
+"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!"
+
+But what of the fifth red domino, the hostess of the great ball?
+
+Time had hung rather heavily on her hands. No one recognized her, and,
+not being a graceful dancer, she was somewhat neglected.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+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.
+
+"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?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am," replied the boy, his eyes on the dollar bill.
+
+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.
+
+"Now," whispered Barbara, who kept out of sight, and the boy delivered
+the note which read:
+
+"Meet me at the Casino gate. Same time. Have found it necessary to
+change meeting place."
+
+"Who gave you this, boy?"
+
+"Some one in a domino," he replied, turning away.
+
+"Wait! What did the person say?"
+
+"Just 'take this note to room 601 and give it to the lady there.'"
+
+"It's from the count," and, satisfied, she reentered the room.
+
+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.
+
+"In honor of De Sonde," thought Ruth contemptuously.
+
+Some one began to sing, and the place soon 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.
+
+No one noticed two red dominos, each accompanied by one in black, steal
+from different doors of the hotel and disappear in the dark.
+
+Ruth finally found her father standing in a doorway, talking to a little
+red domino.
+
+"Father! I overheard Mr. Duval and some accomplices planning to rob the
+countess of a valuable paper to-night! Do send help at once!"
+
+"Paper! Oh, Mr. Stuart, it must be the one the countess entrusted to
+me," and Mollie pulled from her bosom a chamois bag.
+
+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.
+
+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?
+
+Before the car had come to a full stop the count leaped out and turned
+to help his companions alight. Barbara leaned forward and said sharply
+to the chauffeur:
+
+"Return at once to the hotel without the gentleman. Ask no questions.
+You will be answerable to Mr. Stuart for any treachery."
+
+The car disappeared in the darkness, leaving the count dancing and
+gesticulating in anger.
+
+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.
+
+"The paper you seek is not here, Monsieur," said the countess proudly.
+
+"I say it is here! Give it to me at once!"
+
+"Officers, this is your man! Take him!" shouted Mr. Stuart.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"Ruth overheard a talk this evening and sent us here to see if we could
+serve you. The plot was instigated by Monsieur Duval."
+
+"That old man was Monsieur Duval himself. He is a very dangerous enemy
+to have."
+
+"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."
+
+"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."
+
+"Very well," replied Mr. Stuart stiffly, displeased at the countess'
+lack of frankness.
+
+On Mr. Stuart's return to the hotel the girls overwhelmed him with
+questions and called eagerly for a glimpse of the mysterious paper.
+
+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.
+
+"The count and Monsieur Duval!" gasped Ruth.
+
+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.
+
+"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."
+
+"How did the countess become involved in this, Mr. Stuart?" asked
+Barbara, and at the question Mollie's pretty face clouded.
+
+"The countess has asked us to the villa to-morrow afternoon to offer an
+explanation," replied Mr. Stuart shortly.
+
+At noon the next day Ruth rushed up to her companions with exciting
+news.
+
+"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!"
+
+"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.
+
+"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 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!"
+
+Mr. Stuart had come up and heard the last part of the tale; so he now
+broke in:
+
+"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."
+
+"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.
+
+"I must turn my other girls on you, I see."
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+To the girls' amazement and fluttered delight, the countess was in
+reality the Princess Sophia 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.
+
+"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.
+
+"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?"
+
+The princess was to start for home almost immediately under the
+protection of the Baron and Baroness von Lichtenberg, but before 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.
+
+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."
+
+"Oh," cried Mollie, "the count gave her this! How she must have loved
+it, and she gave it to me!"
+
+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.
+
+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.
+
+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 "The Automobile
+Girls Series" under the title, "The Automobile Girls at Washington; Or,
+Checkmating the Plots of Foreign Spies."
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach, by
+Laura Dent Crane
+
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