"Oh, yes. I was thinking of something else I just read here. Oh, the reward! Well, I suppose the police got it. I don't remember, to tell you the truth. I know that her disappearance at the time created quite a sensation." "And are you sure she was found?" "Oh, yes, quite sure. Look here!" and with a smile on his face he leaned forward, one rather fat finger pointing to the article he had just been reading. "I was wondering how you girls got hold of this old back-number paper, but I see it's one of several I saved because they had printed notices of my acting. This is a very good and fair criticism of my work when I was appearing in Shakespearian drama--a very fair notice, ahem!" and Mr. DeVere leaned back in his chair, a gratified smile on his face. "A fair notice! I should say it was!" laughed Alice. "It does nothing but praise you, and says the others offered you miserable support." "Well, it was fair to _me_," said Mr. DeVere. "Yes, I remember that tour very well. We were in California at the time of this Miss Passamore's disappearance. Helen Gordon was my leading lady then. Ah, yes, that was four years ago." "No wonder there wasn't anything in to-day's New York papers," said Alice. "Well, let me wrap up my shoes, and I'll try to have this packing done in time to get out to Oak Farm." "Yes, I just stopped in to see how you were coming on," put in her father. "Mr. Pertell wants to get started, and it won't do to disappoint him. There are to be several thousand men and horses in the production, and the bill for extras will be heavy." "I'll hustle along, Daddy!" cried Alice. "Do you want that paper?" "No, you may take it. I'll just tear out this page with the theatrical notice of myself." He handed the remainder of the paper to his daughter, who, with the help of her sister, wrapped up the muddy shoes. Then the girls proceeded with the putting in of other articles and garments that would be needed during their stay at Oak Farm. "I wonder----" began Alice, when there came a knock on their door, and a voice demanded: "I say, girls!--are you there?" "Yes, Russ. Come on in!" answered Alice. "Oh, and with the room looking the way it is!" remonstrated Ruth. "Can't be helped. Russ knows what packing is," Alice declared, as a tall, good-looking young man entered. "Come on!" he cried. "No time to lose." "What's the matter? Is the place on fire?" asked Ruth. "No. But there's got to be a retake in that last scene of 'Only a Flivver,' and Mr. Pertell sent me to get you. It won't take long, but they're in a hurry for it. Come on! Paul is waiting outside in the machine and I've got the camera. Hustle!" CHAPTER II OFF FOR OAK FARM "What's that, Russ? A retake?" asked Alice. "Yes, of that auto scene in the park." "Is that the one I'm in?" Ruth inquired. "Yes. You're both in it, and so is Paul. It's the scene where Mr. Bunn is struck by the auto mud-guard--not hurt, you know, and you, Ruth, jump out to give first aid."