Part 12 (2/2)
She liked them. She liked them to show her about the automobile, and she laughed frankly with them--but she was totally ingenuous.
”And she could be so--so dangerous--if she chose,” murmured Belle.
”What do you mean?” asked Cora.
”I mean--with her languorous,” was the murmured reply.
Cora looked sharply at her chum, but said nothing.
The last gown had been delivered, and the trunks needed but the straps around them to close their lids. The Chelton houses had been put in readiness for their lonely winter, and already the tang of frost in the late October air had brought the advance message of Jack Frost.
Some few purchases remained for Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Kimball to make, but these were deferred until the trip to New York to take the steamer. They would remain a day or so in the metropolis before sailing.
”One last run in our cars, and then well put them away,” suggested Cora to her chums.
”We'll come along,” Jack invited himself and Walter.
They had a glorious day in the open. Then the gasoline tanks were emptied, the radiators drained, and the cars put away in the garage.
”I do hope we can do some motor boating down there,” said Jack, with something like a return of his former interest.
”We shall, I'm sure,” said Bess. ”'They say it is ideal for the sport there.”
Inez had sent word to her father that an attempt would be made to free him. That is, she had sent the message. Whether it would reach him or not was another question, for his political enemies had him pretty well hedged about.
New York was no novelty to our friends, for they often ran in during the winter. The days there were busy ones, and pa.s.sed quickly.
Their luggage was put aboard the steamer, the last purchases had been made, and now they were ready themselves to walk up the gang-plank.
”Well, girls, are you all ready to leave?” asked Mr. Robinson, as he came on deck.
”All ready--for waters blue!” half chanted Cora.
”Inez,” she asked, ”would you mind going down and seeing if mother has everything she wants?”
”I go, Senorita,” murmured the Spanish girl. As she turned to make her way to Mrs. Kimball's stateroom, Inez started and drew back at the sight of a very fat man just coming aboard. ”Zat man! Here!”
she gasped, and Cora turned to see Inez shrink out of sight behind one of the lifeboats.
CHAPTER X
THE BLUE WATERS
”What is the matter, my dear girl?” asked Cora, when she had recovered from the little start Inez gave her. ”Did that man do anything--or speak to you?” and she looked indignantly about for a s.h.i.+p's officer to whom to complain.
”No! No--not that!” cried the Spanish girl, quickly. ”He did not speak--he did not even look!”
”Then why are you so alarmed?”
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