The great, dark eyes of the gypsy looked out into the forest. Cora wondered of what she could be thinking. "Jack," she repeated, "Jack what?" "Jack Kimball," replied Cora, still wondering. "That sounds like a brave name," remarked the queen. "I am getting spoiled, I'm afraid. I cannot help being interested in the outside world." "Why should you not be?" asked Cora. "Because I do not belong to it. To be content one must not be too curious. That, I believe, is philosophy, and----" "There is some one coming," interrupted Cora. "It is Lena. I am like the blind. I know every one's step." And she was not mistaken, for a moment later Lena entered the room. CHAPTER XXII SADDENED HEARTS "I am afraid she is dead." "Jack, you must not give up so easily. The detectives have faith in the steamship story." Ed was speaking. "No, Cora would not be induced, under any circumstance, to take a Portland boat, and she could not have been taken away unconscious." "Girls before this have been led away with fake tales of a sick mother, and all that," said Ed feebly, "but I must agree with you--Cora was too level-headed." "And Belle is really very ill." "Mr. Rand has sent for a nurse. Belle feels as if she must die if Cora is not found soon. She is extremely sensitive." "Yes, the girls loved Cora." His voice broke and he turned his head away. The two young men were seated on the big piazza of the Tip-Top. It was just a week since the disappearance of Cora, and, of course, Mrs. Kimball had been notified by cable. She would return to America by the first steamer, but would not reach New York for some days yet. In the meantime Mr. Rand, who had turned out to be such a good friend in need, had advised Mrs. Kimball to wait a few days more before starting. He hoped and felt sure that some news of the girl would have been discovered by that time. "Walter 'phoned from Lenox," went on Ed, after a pause. "He had no real information, and the young girl at the sanitarium is not Cora." "I was afraid it was a useless journey. Well, let us see if we can do anything for the girls," and Jack arose languidly from the bench. "Misery likes company." They went up to the suite of rooms occupied by the young ladies. Hazel met them in the hall. "Whom do you think is coming to nurse Belle? Miss Robbins!" "What?" exclaimed both in one breath. "Yes, Mr. Rand insisted that she is the proper person, and it seems there is some reasonable explanation for her conduct. At any rate, it is well we will have some one we know. Oh, dear, Belle is so hysterical!" and Hazel herself was almost in tears. "When is Miss Robbins coming?" asked Jack. "Mr. Rand 'phoned, and she said she would come up at once. Then he sent his car out from his own garage for her." "What would we have done without Mr. Rand?"