"Who said you did take them?" inquired the officer, as Cora put her arm about Nellie, and assisted her to rise. "And who said you were to go to the reform school?" "That piece in the paper," replied Rose. "It said we would be sent there until----" "Oh, that was some of the old lady's work. Don't you worry about that. Just come along with us. Don't you be afraid that any one is going to hurt you," for he saw distrust in Rose's face. "You are among friends--all friends!" "You bet!" cried Andy. "I got left from the boat just in time to tell them where you were." "Come along," said Jack kindly. "You both look ready to--collapse." "I was just going to," declared Nellie, rubbing her hand over her inflamed eyes. "I was going to jump into the water before Rose could stop me, but when she called our mother to help us I--couldn't--then." "Nellie!" exclaimed Rose in surprise. "Now do come along," begged Cora. "You must need food and rest. I am almost dead myself from running around----" "After us?" asked Nellie innocently. The officer and young men smiled. "Well, you see," began Jack, "we just caught Andy 'getting left,' as he put it, and he told us where you were----" "But Andy's mother will be scared to death," insisted Nellie, brightening up. "Oh, we have attended to that," said Jack. "We sent her a message. Andy is going to visit us 'bungaloafers' for a few days. We just need a boy like Andy to help us get in shape," and Jack patted the smiling boy kindly. "Our cars are out on the road," said Cora, "and we are all to go to the cottage. So, come on, girls. We are just dying to tell your odd story to several people. Your friends in the candy kitchen have been dreadfully worried since you left them so suddenly." "They thought you jumped in the ocean," blurted out Andy, who had no regard for propriety in making such remarks. The orphans acted almost frightened--it seemed too strange to be true, that they were going to get in an automobile, and be allowed to go to a house without being hunted and chased--without hiding or sneaking! "Here we are," announced Ed, who cranked up one car into which Andy "piled" without any ceremony whatever. Jack started up the _Whirlwind_, and into the big car Nellie and Rose were assisted. Cora sat beside Jack, and the detective insisted upon walking as he had "to meet a man" on the road and had scarcely time to keep this appointment. Nellie was completely dazed. She sat bolt upright, as if afraid to lean against the soft cushions of the car. Rose was more composed, but she also appeared ill at ease in the luxurious surroundings. It was only a short ride to Clover Cottage. Bess and Belle were outside as they drove up. They clapped their hands almost like children when they saw who were in the cars.