Part 21 (1/2)

”And, anyway, pretty nearly everybody in Deepdale knows the twins,”

Grace added

”Well, then, there are only two or three things left that”It's barely possible they otten lost In that case somebody will have to hurry up and find them or they will just stay there and s-starve! And that's al run over”

”Well, with everybody in Deepdale, civilians as well as police, searching for them,” said Betty confidently, ”I don't think there is veryto death If that's the solution, I shouldn't wonder but that they are safe at hohtened a little at this picture, but alain

”But we don't know that,” she said ”And until we do, I'et too happy”

”I wonder,” she said suddenly, after the girls had cleared away the lunch and had perched theht to do first Send a telegra her own question

”Yes, I think I would,” said Betty, adding, as Mollie got up with characteristic i us what you are going to say in it--about going home, I mean?”

Mollie paused uncertainly

”I--I don't just know,” she adht to go, and the next, I wonder if I wouldn't only be in the way”

”There's another thing to consider,” Mrs Ford put in ”It is almost a certainty that the children will be found in a day or two, perhaps are found already, and in that case you would have all your trip for nothing I don't like to advise--”

”Oh, please do,” Mollie begged, adding with a pathetic little s all by irl,” said the woirl feel worse, added hurriedly: ”In that case I should ive things a chance to straighten out At the end of that tiht to go, we'll pack up everything and go along with you, of course”

”That's what I'll do then,” agreed Mollie, relieved to have the question settled for her ”And now,” she added, et into s and wiz down to that station in record time Who wants to come with me?”

It seeirls had changed fro suits to their street clothes and were ready for the dash to the station, which was about two miles from their house

They all cli machine started slowly backward down the steep incline

”Better hold on,” Mollie warned them ”I've never done quite so steep a hill as this backward, and the old boythe car, as it showed a tendency to pick up speed too rapidly ”Of course we're in a hurry, but we don't want to land on our ears That's the way--gently now All right--we're off!” as they reached the foot of the hill in safety and swung around into the road ”Now let's see how long it will take you to reach that station”

As a matter of fact, it took scarcely any time at all, for the demon of speed seemed to have taken possession of Mollie, and she drove so recklessly that even the girls, ere used to her daring, were startled

Yet sohtly co

However, the wild ride cairls tumbled out of the machine and on to the station platforht was an unproh he could not have been over thirty-five--beaked nose, and small red-ried against the door of the waiting roo I can do for you?” he asked, as he saw that they hesitated

”Alilling to oblige the ladies,” he added

The girls exchanged a glance, then Betty approached the lounger who had the grace to straighten up as she addressed hiram,” she explained coldly ”We understood we could send one from here”