"All right, mamma dear," replied Belle meekly, really glad to climb into the small seat at the back of the _Flyaway_ and start for home. The detectives had furnished enough excitement, but now came this strange news---- "Oh, I just want to tell Cora one thing more," said good-natured Bess. "Cora, when we finally did give up the search, and had gone along a little way, a trolley car passed, and it stopped just at that turn in the road where there was an electric light." "And couldn't you see who boarded it?" asked Cora. "No, it was a park resort car, and just packed full of people, so we didn't even have a chance to get a glimpse of those who either got on or got off. Well, good night, dear," and Bess switched on the spark and started the engine without cranking. "I will see you to-morrow. We have got to finish up our plans--for--you know." It was the approach of Jack that stopped Bess in her remark. The young man joked about it, and declared that he would soon discover the secret, warning the girls that Cora could never keep good news away from him, and that he felt it in his bones she would tell him about it that very night. The girls retaliated with the assurance that this time, at least, Jack was not to know their secret, then, when the _Flyaway_ had whirred itself off, Cora and Jack, arm in arm, started back to the porch. Cora hardly knew how to tell her brother about the jewel box, but she finally managed to explain the peculiar happening. "Well," said Jack, when she paused for his opinion, "there's no use crying over spilled milk. The thing to do, I suppose, is to keep one's hands off milk. Now, I reckon you will be subjected to a lot of questions, when those fellows come to-morrow." "They were really very polite," Cora assured him, "and I haven't the slightest dread about their questions. It seems to me, now, that we all ought to do what we can to trace the girls. From what Bess just told me I am afraid they are running about at night in lonely and dangerous places. And bad as their lot might have been, with their aunt, that was safer than these night escapades." "True--very true, little sister," said Jack with his usual good spirits, "at the same time if they have committed--we will call it an indiscretion, in trying earrings in their ears, it might be just as well to give them a chance. No use running them into the very teeth of the law." That was exactly how Cora felt about it. "Well," she said, as she picked up her fan and other little belongings, preparatory to going indoors, "we will see what comes of my official investigation. Perhaps, when the detectives have finished questioning me, they will be able to go to a telephone and call the girls home. I have always heard that detectives do such wonderful things." "Well, this time, sis, I will be at home when they call, unless something very unforeseen happens."