“She was very beautiful. Even if I never see her again, I shall never forget her charming face,” said Dr. Anthony. He rose to go as he spoke, and the look of respectful admiration he bent on Effie’s sweet, sad face seemed to mutely declare that he would never forget her, either. Her long lashes drooped, and a delicate blush rose to her cheek, reminding him that his thoughts were too plainly expressed in his eyes. She thanked him in sweet, courteous phrases for his information, and half timidly requested him to call again, and recount his strange story to her father. Dr. Anthony very willingly promised to do so. He was very sorry for the afflicted family, and very much interested in the hazel-eyed Effie. She, on her part, was vaguely interested in him. “The most interesting young man I ever met,” she mentally decided, recalling the handsome face and clear, frank voice, after he had gone away. She went back to her mother’s bedside, and related Dr. Anthony’s story. Mrs. Rodney was greatly excited. Aline’s mysterious absence assumed a new phase. She was full of wonder and dismay and grief. “My dear little Aline! She may be dead ere this!” was the burden of her grief, and it became so hysterical and violent during the long hours of the night that Effie regretted she had told her the strange story. She was relieved when her father came home next morning from another fruitless quest. She felt that the charge of her grief-stricken mother was becoming too heavy for her. No one could soothe Mrs. Rodney’s bitter grief but her patient, though almost distracted husband. CHAPTER XV. Mr. Rodney did not wait for Dr. Anthony to return to Chester. His anxiety was too great. He drove over to Maywood in the early morning to see the young physician. He heard the whole story over again. It impressed him strangely. He believed with the doctor that the mysterious wounded girl was Aline herself. “I have been haunted by that belief ever since I heard the story of your daughter’s disappearance,” he said. “I feared you might think me foolish or presuming, but I could not rest until I had gone over to Chester and told you my story.” “For which kindness I am most grateful to you,” said Mr. Rodney, grasping his hand cordially. “Who knows but that this information will lead to my daughter’s recovery?” He found the young doctor most intelligent and agreeable. He consulted with him as to the best method of following up this strange discovery. Both agreed that it would be well to confide the matter to a skillful detective. Mr. Rodney sent to New York at once for the most noted one in the service. They agreed that they would keep the strange story of the doctor’s experience a profound secret from the public. If once it became publicly known, it might put the villain on his guard. He might hustle Aline off to another place.