ong-limbed Myra did look so funny, sprawled on the floor like a
huge spider; and amazement was written so large upon Tabitha's face
that sterner hearts than hers would have made merry at the picture
which they presented. Rosslyn's wail of grief checked her mirth,
however, and she came hastily to his rescue, but his mother had heard
the outcry, and now appeared on the scene with the remainder of her
brood clinging to her skirts, and Billiard and Toady following close at
their heels.

"Well, for the land sakes!" she ejaculated, holding up her hands in
surprise and amusement. "What a sight! Are any of you hurt? That's
good! Now, girls, perhaps it will seem rude and ungrateful to rush you
off this way, but I had orders to see that you caught the train back to
Los Angeles this afternoon. So I reckon you will have to move lively,
with your packing and all."

"Who gave you such orders?" demanded Tabitha in bewilderment, rubbing
her eyes to make sure she was not dreaming.

"Your father. I met him in the city just as I was about to board the
train for Silver Bow."

"But--but--"

"No 'buts' about it," put in Myra, still sucking her injured tongue.
"I accidentally ran up against Mrs. McKittrick in Los Angeles, knew her
at once because Mercy looks so much like her, discovered that she was
planning to come back here before school opened; so I just attached
myself to her and came along--"

"Aha!" crowed Gloriana jubilantly. "Then all that tale about finding
the Eagles' Nest without help was a--fib!"

Myra's face crimsoned and her tell-tale eyes dropped, then lifted
again, twinkling like twin stars. "Huh!" she giggled, "our detective
again! Say, are you going to catch that train at three o'clock? If
so, just take wings to your feet and fly for home. Mrs. McKittrick can
hear all about everything when you get back. The children are alive
and well, and that's the main point. I told her everything you had
written me and--"

"Myra Haskell!"

"Well, she was on her way home and 'twas time she knew." She glanced
across at Mrs. McKittrick, who smiled back through her tears. "And she
says you are bricks. Also I told the station agent to send up his rig
for your trunks, and if you don't make haste pretty lively, he'll be
there before we are. I suppose your trunks are at your own house?
That's where I told him to call. Now sling out the duds you've got
here, and I'll pack them while you are getting slicked up. No,