, of course, Mrs. Kimball had been notified
by cable. She would return to America by the first steamer, but would
not reach New York for some days yet. In the meantime Mr. Rand, who
had turned out to be such a good friend in need, had advised Mrs.
Kimball to wait a few days more before starting. He hoped and felt
sure that some news of the girl would have been discovered by that time.

"Walter 'phoned from Lenox," went on Ed, after a pause. "He had no
real information, and the young girl at the sanitarium is not Cora."

"I was afraid it was a useless journey. Well, let us see if we can do
anything for the girls," and Jack arose languidly from the bench.
"Misery likes company."

They went up to the suite of rooms occupied by the young ladies. Hazel
met them in the hall.

"Whom do you think is coming to nurse Belle? Miss Robbins!"

"What?" exclaimed both in one breath.

"Yes, Mr. Rand insisted that she is the proper person, and it seems
there is some reasonable explanation for her conduct. At any rate, it
is well we will have some one we know. Oh, dear, Belle is so
hysterical!" and Hazel herself was almost in tears.

"When is Miss Robbins coming?" asked Jack.

"Mr. Rand 'phoned, and she said she would come up at once. Then he
sent his car out from his own garage for her."

"What would we have done without Mr. Rand?"

"Come in and speak to Belle," said Hazel. "She feels better when she
has talked with you, Jack. Of course, you come also, Ed," she hurried
to add, seeing him draw back.

The young men entered the room, where Belle, pale as a drooping white
rose, lay on a couch under the window. She smiled and extended her
hand.

"I am so glad you have come! Is there any news?"

"Walter is running down a sanitarium clew," said Jack evasively. "I
feel certain Cora is ill somewhere."

"Where has he gone?"

"To Lenox. We had a description from a sanitarium there. But, Belle,
you must brace up. We can't afford to lose two girls."

She smiled, and did try to look brighter, but the shock to her nerves
had been very severe. "Did you hear that Miss Robbins is coming?" she
asked.

"Yes, and I think she is the very one we need," replied Ed. "She may
even be able to help us in our search."

"She is wonderfully clever, and it seems she did not mean to desert us
at all. There is some sort of story back of her attention to the
wounded ones at Restover," said Bess, who had been sitting at a little