Part 8 (1/2)
The stage stopped to allow us to get in.
Mutual explanations followed. Ours were brief and substantiated by the doc.u.ments in evidence.
”Now,” I said turning threateningly to Ptolemy, ”what did you come here for?”
”To show them,” indicating Beth and Rob, ”how to get here and to look after Di so you and mudder could enjoy your vacation,” he replied glibly.
Beth laughed mirthfully.
”Check! Lucien.”
”Didn't Huldah warn you,” I asked her, ”that our whereabouts were to remain unknown?”
”Ptolemy,” she replied, ”is evidently a mind reader, for he told me where you were before I saw Huldah.”
”Why, Ptolemy, how did you know where we were?” asked Silvia.
”I was on top of the porch when you told stepdaddy about coming. I didn't tell the others. I won't bother you any. And I know how to look after Di. You won't send me back, mudder,” he pleaded, looking wistfully at the foam-crested water of the little lake.
I wondered mutely if Silvia could resist the appeal in the eyes of the neglected boy when he turned his imploring gaze to hers, and the delight depicted in Diogenes' eyes at ”Tolly's” arrival. She could not.
”You may stay as long as we do,” she said slowly, ”if you are a good boy and will not play too rough with Diogenes.”
We had reached the hotel by this time, and with a wild ”ki yi”
Ptolemy dashed for the sh.o.r.e, dragging the delighted Diogenes with him.
”It's only fair to Huldah to take one more off her hands,” Silvia said apologetically.
”Them Three is what bothers me,” I complained. ”If they, too, follow after, Heaven help them! I won't.”
”It's a good arrangement all around,” declared Rob. ”I judge it takes a Polydore to understand his ilk, so the kids can pair off together.
Miss Wade will be company for you, while Lucien and I go fis.h.i.+ng.”
He looked keenly at Beth as he spoke, but Beth was looking demurely down and made no sign of having heard him.
Silvia and I went with Beth to her room, and then she told her story.
”Knowing Lucien's failing, I was not surprised at receiving no response to my letter. When I got out of the cab in front of your house, a wild-looking boy, very bas-relief as to eyes, and who I felt sure must be Ptolemy of the Polydores, appeared. As soon as he saw me he gave utterance to a blood-curdling yell of--'Here she is!'
”In response to his call three of his understudies came on with headlong greeting.
”'You are Beth, aren't you?' Ptolemy asked me. Then he drew me aside and in mysterious whispers told me where you were and that you had written me to join you here. He added that stepdaddy never remembered to mail letters. I went within and interviewed Huldah who confirmed his information.
”Presently I saw a taxi stop before the house.
”'That's him!' exclaimed Ptolemy.
”'Him who?' I asked.