The Automobile Girls at Palm Beach; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies

by Laura Dent Crane

  CHAPTER XIV

  THE PLOT THICKENS

  Maud Warren apologized to Miss Sallie. Mr. Warren had been greatlydispleased when he heard of his daughter's disobedience, and hadreprimanded her in such severe terms, that she anxiously endeavored toconciliate Miss Stuart at the earliest opportunity. Miss Sallie, howeverreceived her effusive apology very coldly, and it was some time beforeMaud 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 byMiss Stuart, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Warren and Maud. Just as they were leavingthe hotel Marian Smythe appeared on the veranda and was asked to jointhem.

  "Where have you been keeping yourself, Marian?" asked Ruth.

  Marian flushed.

  "I've been very busy," she said hastily. Then as if anxious to changethe subject: "Have you been to the countess's villa lately?"

  "No," replied Ruth quickly. "Not since the dinner there. Have you heardanything about her?"

  "No," answered Marian shortly, and relapsed into moody silence.

  As they strolled leisurely along Barbara who had been walking ahead withMiss Stuart, dropped behind with Marian.

  "I want to ask you something, Marian," she began.

  "Little girls should never ask questions," said Marian lightly, butBarbara felt that her apparent unconcern was forced.

  "Have you heard about what happened at the villa the night we dinedthere?" persisted Bab.

  "I have heard something about it," admitted Marian, in a low voice. "Itwas an attempt to rob the countess, was it not?"

  "You could hardly call it robbery," replied Barbara. "The men tooknothing. But they acted in a very mysterious manner, and there was oneperfectly hideous old man who was a real burglar for I caught him goingthrough the things in the countess's sleeping room, when I went upstairs after our wraps. I drove him from the room."

  "How did you ever do it, Bab?" asked Marian. There was an expression ofabsolute terror in her eyes.

  "You'll laugh when I tell you," replied Bab. "I drove him away with ashoe 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 roomwas turned low it looked like polished steel. At any rate it answeredthe purpose."

  "You are very brave, Bab," said Marian admiringly. "Considering the manwith whom you had to deal you showed wonderful courage."

  "What do you mean, Marian, by 'the man with whom I had to deal'? Who isthat frightful old man?" asked Barbara, looking searchingly at the othergirl. "Why did you warn us not to dine with the countess? Did you knowwhat was to happen? You must tell me, Marian, for I must know. If thecountess or any of us is in danger it is your duty to tell me. Can't youtrust 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. Idare not. I am a miserable victim of circumstances, and all I can say isthat your danger is in being friendly with the countess. She has anenemy who will stop at nothing to gain his own end, and he will crushyou, too, if you stand in his way."

  "Tell me, Marian," said Bab eagerly. "Do you know anything about thecountess?"

  "Very little," was the reply, "and that little I may not tell. But thisI promise you, that no matter what may be the consequences to myself, Iwill warn you in time should any special danger threaten you girls orher. That is, if I have the slightest opportunity to do so."

  Marian stretched out her hand and Bab clasped it. "Thank you, dearMarian," she said. "I know you will keep your word."

  After an hour's stroll the party repaired to the hotel veranda, whereices and cakes were served to them. Every one, with the exception ofMaud Warren, was in high good humor. Even Marian emerged from the gloomthat had enveloped her earlier in the evening, laughing and talkingmerrily with the "Automobile Girls." Maud, however was in a distinctlyrebellious state of mind. During their walk they had encountered theCount de Sonde and Monsieur Duval, and although Mr. Stuart and Mr.Warren had exchanged polite civilities with the two Frenchmen, they hadnot invited them to join the party. While Maud, still smarting inwardlyfrom 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 insulking, and this she did in the most approved fashion, refusing to takepart in the conversation, and answering in monosyllables when addressed.Ruth and Barbara vainly tried to charm away her sulks by paying herspecial attention, but she merely curled her lip scornfully, and leftthe veranda soon after on plea of headache. Mr. Warren sighed heavily ashe looked after her retreating figure, but made no comment. Yet hisfriends knew instinctively what was passing in his mind, and the"Automobile Girls" solemnly vowed each in her own heart to watch overMaud and save her if possible from the schemes of fortune-huntingnobility.

  "Is there anything more perfect than this Florida moonlight!" askedRuth, during a lull in the conversation, as she leaned back in her chairand gazed with half closed eyes at the silvery tropical world beforeher. "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 inbed."

  "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 usto 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 tomoon out here until unseasonable hours, you will never get started onyour picnic to-morrow, at seasonable ones."

  "She speaks the truth," said Ruth dramatically, "I will arise and hie meto the hay, for come what may, I swear that I will picnic with the rosymorn."

  "I thought you were going to picnic with us," said Grace flippantly.

  "So I am," replied Ruth calmly. "That statement was mere poeticallicense."

  "First find your poet," said Bab slyly.

  Whereupon there was a chorus of giggles at Ruth's expense, in which shegood-naturedly joined.

  "I'm really more tired than I thought I was," she yawned, a few momentslater as she sat curled up in a big chair in the room adjoining MissStuart'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 asecond later, "I've left my pink scarf down on the veranda. It's hangingover the back of the chair I sat in. I'll go down this minute and getit, 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 alongthe corridor. She did not stop for an elevator but ran lightly down thetwo flights of stairs and out to the veranda. It was but the work of amoment to secure her scarf, which hung over the back of the chair, justas she had left it. The veranda was deserted except for a group of threepeople who stood at the far end in the shadow. Their backs were towardBab and they were talking earnestly in low voices. Barbara stoodpetrified with astonishment, scarcely able to believe the evidence ofher own eyes, for the group consisted of Monsieur Duval, Mrs. De LanceySmythe and--enveloped in the pale blue broadcloth cloak Bab had oftenseen her wear was the Countess Sophia.