"But couldn't Miss Benedict possibly have been some connection--some distant connection that she never thought of or mentioned?" persisted Marcia. "No--my mother's people were all English," declared Cecily, "and they were all dead. We had no relatives living." "Well, your father, then?" supplemented Janet. "What about him?" "I never knew him to remember him. Mother said he died when I was a baby a year or two old. He hadn't any relatives, either." "Well, here's something else we have to tell you, and it's the strangest thing yet," began Janet. "Can you tell us where you got that bracelet, Cecily,--the one you were so lovely as to send to us?" "Why, I always had it," answered Cecily. "Even when I was a tiny little girl and it was much too big for me, it seemed to be mine. Mother kept it in a box, but she let me play with it once in a while. Then when I was older and it fitted me better, she let me wear it. I _think_ she said my father gave it to me. I don't remember very clearly. I don't believe I ever thought much about it, although I realized it was rather unusual. But why do you ask?" "Did she ever say it had a mate--that there was a pair of them?" questioned Marcia. "Oh, no! I'm sure she never said anything about another." "What do you think of this, then?" Marcia drew the two bracelets out of her bag, and laid them side by side on the bed. "Why, how very, very _queer_!" cried Cecily, incredulously. "Where _did_ you get the other?" Marcia outlined its history. "You see, there isn't a shadow of doubt that there was once a pair of them," she ended, "and that they both belonged to the same person. Now _who_ could that person be?" "It must have been some one connected with you, Cecily," added Janet. "Everything points that way. Well, one thing is certain: if we could find out the truth about these two bracelets, I believe we'd find out about Cecily, too--why she is here and the whole mystery!" All three were very silent for a moment, considering. "I know one thing," ventured Marcia, at length. "Cecily, you must _not_ give this bracelet away. It was dear and sweet of you to think of it in the first place--and we'll keep the little coral pendant for both of us if you like. But the bracelet is something that may mean a great deal to you yet, and you ought to have it. Don't you agree with me, Janet?" "I certainly do," added Janet, heartily; "and what's more, I've thought of something else. When Captain Brett comes home next time, he _may_ be able to tell us something more about the other bracelet. When do you expect him, Marcia?" "Not for two or three months," replied Marcia, ruefully. "I'd give anything if it could only be sooner. It seems as if we _never_ could wait that long!" "Well, let's not think of it just now," comforted Janet. "I don't suppose we can find out anything till he _does_ come, so there's no use fretting. How would you like to hear some music, Cecily? Marcia's brought her violin."