Part 10 (1/2)

Ten or twelve people came running down the hall. The hotel proprietor and several servants made for the fire escape. Grace and Mollie, clad in kimonos, had joined Ruth in the hall, and were shaking with terror.

Neither of them had spoken a word, but Grace silently handed Ruth her bath robe.

They turned and the three girls followed the rescuers, who were hastening toward Aunt Sallie's room. That elderly woman had already risen, struck a light and was in her kimono.

Barbara was leaning against a chair, white as a sheet, but unhurt!

”O Bab!” said Ruth, flying toward her, forgetting everything else in her relief, ”I thought you were killed!”

”I thought so, too,” nodded Barbara, calmly smiling, as she reached for one of the blankets and wrapped herself in its folds, ”but I wasn't.

When the burglar raised the end of his pistol to strike me, I knew what was coming and ducked. He struck the side of the chair, and I tumbled over under it.”

The hotel proprietor came into the room carrying a chamois bag.

”Madam,” he asked, ”is this your property? I found it outside here.

Evidently the man dropped it in trying to make his escape. I cannot understand what has happened. The hotel is securely locked. The fire escape goes down into a closed court. The man could not have made his way down five stories, without being seen when we reached the window. It is incredible!”

By this time the halls were swarming with frightened visitors.

Grace had gone out to speak to them, and came in holding the burglar's coat in her hand. ”How curious!” she said, handing the garment to the proprietor. ”This is a gentleman's coat. I can tell by the lining and the whole appearance of it. It was not worn by a common thief!”

”Ruth, my child, and Barbara,” said Aunt Sallie, when everyone had left their apartments, ”I shall never forgive you!”

”Why not, Aunt Sallie?” both girls exclaimed, at once.

”Because, my dears, you didn't just scream and let the wretch escape at once. In my day girls would never have behaved as you did!”

”But, Aunt Sallie,” protested Ruth, ”the jewels and money are both safe, and neither Barbara nor I am hurt. I don't see how we could have done any better, even in your day.”

”Kiss me,” said Aunt Sallie, ”and go back to bed at once. It is nearly morning.”

When Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright drew up in front of the New Haven hotel, at a little after two o'clock next day, they found Miss Sallie and the four girls surrounded by a circle of college boys. With them stood a policeman.

”What has happened?” said Mrs. Cartwright in astonishment, jumping out of her car, as Donald Cartwright, Hugh Post and Ralph Ewing came down to meet her. ”Are those my girls, to whom I am to introduce you to-day?”

”Goodness!” demanded Hugh. ”Did you think we would wait twelve hours for an introduction! Do come and hear all that has happened.”

Miss Stuart, looking a good deal shaken by her adventures, came forward to meet Mrs. Cartwright. ”Listen!” she said dramatically, for Barbara was talking to the policeman.

”No, we would neither of us know him, because neither my friend nor I ever saw him before. It was dark and he was masked. But he was slight-not a big, rough kind of man-and his hands were soft, but strong as steel. I don't believe,” she leaned over and whispered, ”he could have been a servant, or an ordinary burglar.”

”We have discovered, miss, that no entrance was made from the outside.

Any guests who left the hotel this morning will be followed and examined. The chief will report to you later,” the policeman said, with a low bow to Miss Sallie.

”Well, is this the way you see a nice, quiet, old college town?” Mrs.

Cartwright inquired. ”I suppose you mean to take the next train for home.”

”No such thing!” retorted Ruth, smiling, and looking as bright and fresh as ever. ”We don't mind a few weeny adventures, do we, Aunt Sallie?”