At this moment Wags, as if to comfort the two girls and to protect them from sinister wiles of those around them, stretched forth his little red tongue and tried to bestow a wet kiss on an ear of each of the girls. “Dear little Waggsie, you are our friend, aren’t you, even though we are not sure of the rest of them in this house?” Wags gave a yawn of contentment, and snuggled closer between the girls. “What do you suppose this Trent does to earn a living?” ventured Kitty. “I can’t imagine what he does, but he surely is well dressed, and has a snappy car.” “Dave said that car was a special imported model from France. They are very expensive—cost plenty, besides the transportation charges from the other side,” replied Kitty. “I wonder if Uncle John Trent was anything like this Ronald. Perhaps Uncle Ward never mentioned Ronald to me, because he was so loud and coarse. However, if Uncle really never knew he existed, he won’t approve of him in our family circle now. This is really a dreadful thing to discover,” and Doris sighed disconsolately, as she pushed back her soft hair that was massed over the pillow. “Well, Doris, I think we’re in for an adventure.” “It certainly looks like trouble after that conversation I just overheard between Trent and Henry,” replied Doris. “It was surely lucky they didn’t see you in the dark hallway—that would have been unfortunate,” and Kitty drew the coverlet over her bare, white arm, and shook her pillow into a more comfortable position. Wags snored contentedly as if bored with hearing his bed-fellows chattering so late into the night. “I’m not a bit sleepy, Kitty.” “Neither am I,” responded her chum; “this has been such an exciting and thrillingly adventurous day, with your playing detective and getting information, that I can’t go to sleep. I’m thinking about it too much.” “When do you suppose we’ll hear why we are here to visit?” inquired Doris of Kitty. “Well, maybe the Misses Gates will tell us soon, and that will be helpful to place the motive.” Far into the night the girls continued to talk, but at length, from sheer weariness, they turned over on their sides and tried to sleep. “Hope no one finds Wags here,” Doris murmured drowsily as she closed her eyes. “We must wake up early in the morning and get him out of the house before any one is up.” CHAPTER XI A SORROWFUL ROMANCE Doris and Kitty fully intended to awaken early, but when they did open their eyes the sun was streaming brightly in at the windows and some one was pounding on their door. “Come in,” Doris murmured sleepily. Cora Sully thrust her head in at the door and glared at the girls. “Do you think you can get your breakfast in bed?” she demanded harshly. “What time is it?” Doris asked, sitting up and nudging Kitty, as a signal for her to keep Wags hidden under the covers.