“Neither Dulcie nor I believe one word against the child,” she finished, “but it is just possible she may have met some old German friend and been ashamed to mention the fact to us.” Mr. Chester said that he would tell Gretel’s brother, but agreed with his wife in the opinion that the story was not likely to throw much light upon the girl’s mysterious disappearance. The effect of Mr. Chester’s message was very depressing. Geraldine begged to be allowed to go home at once. “I can’t stay here till Monday,” she told Mrs. Chester. “It will seem nearer to Gretel if I am in New York. Jerry wants to go, too.” Mrs. Chester and her sister talked the matter over and it was decided that if the twins wanted to go, it would be best to let them have their way. It was quite impossible that they could enjoy themselves any longer in New London. So a telegram was dispatched to Mrs. Barlow, and Geraldine went up to her room to pack, accompanied by Molly, who was only a trifle less miserable than herself. They were in the midst of folding dresses when Kitty appeared, with the announcement that Ada Godfrey had come over to inquire for news. “She’s on the piazza,” she added, “talking to Mrs. Cranston, and that horrid Davenport boy is with her.” “I hate that boy,” declared Molly. “I should think Ada would know enough to keep him away from here. Do you remember how rude he was to Gretel that Sunday afternoon? Tell Ada I’ll be right down. You won’t want to come, I know, Geraldine.” “I don’t think I could talk to Ada to-day,” said Geraldine, “and as for that Davenport boy, I hope he’ll go home before Jerry sees him. Jerry wanted to punch his head before, for being horrid to Gretel. If they should meet to-day I don’t know what would happen.” Molly and Kitty departed, leaving Geraldine to finish her packing, with the assistance of Mrs. Chester’s maid. They found Ada on the piazza, but Archie Davenport was nowhere to be seen. “Where’s your cousin?” Molly asked, mindful of Geraldine’s fears. “Gone off somewhere to look for the boys, I think,” Ada answered indifferently. “Oh, girls, isn’t it terrible about Gretel? What do you suppose has become of her?” Before either Molly or Kitty could answer, they were all startled by the sound of shouting, and little Frank Chester came running round the corner from the stable, flushed and breathless from haste and excitement. “Oh, come, come quick!” he implored. “Jerry’s killing Archie Davenport. He’s got him down on the ground, and he’s rolling him over and over and pummelling him like everything.” With an exclamation of horror, the three girls sprang to their feet, and at the same instant Stephen Cranston’s “Ford” came dashing up to the front door, and that young gentleman himself sprang out. “Any news?” he demanded eagerly, but nobody answered him. Molly seized his arm. “Come, Steve,” she cried, “don’t wait to ask any questions. Jerry is beating Archie Davenport, and we’ve got to stop them before Archie is killed.”