Suddenly Mrs. Parkes reappeared precipitately, her manner all flustered. "Is she ready?" demanded the lawyer. "She's gone, sir," replied Mrs. Parkes, in consternation. "Gone--where?" roared Mr. Cooley. "I think she's gone over to Jersey to get married, Bascom," said Tod, with a grin. "Quick!" cried Mr. Cooley. "She can't be gone far. My automobile is downstairs--come!" Cooley went out hurriedly, followed by Jimmy. CHAPTER XVI. Completely dazed, quite ignorant as to where she was going, hardly knowing where she was, so quickly had events followed each other, Paula found herself on the upper deck of a ferryboat which was churning its way out of the New York slip, bound for Jersey City. At her side stood Tod, whose eyes, assisted by a powerful fieldglass, were riveted on the now fast-receding ferryhouse, trying to distinguish among the belated arrivals who had rushed up at the last minute, only to miss the boat, the disappointed faces of Mr. Cooley and Jimmy Marsh. The day was superb, and in the swirling river, tinted a glorious blue by the bright sunshine, flocks of white seagulls rode buoyantly on the dancing waves. A magnificent view was before them. Ahead lay New Jersey and the wide stretch of land-locked water which forms Manhattan's matchless harbor. Close by, on the left, Governor's Island appeared as a splotch of inviting green in the blue expanse; farther South soared the noble figure of Liberty holding aloft the torch that enlightens the world. Away to the East smiled the green hills of Staten Island, and farther on were the fortified Narrows and Sandy Hook, with the open sea beyond. The ever-busy river was literally alive with craft of every kind. The swift ferryboats hurrying from shore to shore, the countless little tugs, puffing and whistling as they darted, mosquito-like, here and there, graceful sailing vessels staggering along under clouds of canvas, stately ocean liners passing majestically out to sea--all this made up a spectacle of which the eye could never tire. But both Paula and her escort were too much preoccupied to pay proper attention to the beauty of their surroundings. The eyes of both were turned anxiously in the direction of the receding shore. "It's all right!" said Tod reassuringly, as he lowered the glass. "I don't see anything of them." "Thank God for that!" exclaimed his companion, making a great effort to control her agitation.