“What shall we do first?” asked Helen.
“I told you. I am going right down to the ladies’ writing room—I saw it as we came through the lower floor—and write to Mrs. Smith. If Curly did run away, we know where he is.”
“Do we?” asked Helen, doubtfully.
“Why—I——Well, he was aboard that steamer, I am sure,” Ruth said.
“Is he now?” asked Helen. “I believe he went overboard and was picked up by that fishing boat.”
“Goodness! do you really believe so?”
“I am quite positive that the disguised boy did just that,” said Helen, nodding her dark head confidently.
“Well, I can tell Mrs. Smith nothing about that; it would only scare her. But I want her to write to me as soon as she can and tell me if Curly is at home. Poor boy! what ever would become of him if he ran away?”
“And with the police after him!” Helen added. “I am sure he never committed any real crime.”
“So am I sure. But he was always playing jokes and was up to all kinds of mischief. He was bound to get into trouble,” Ruth said, with a sigh. “Everybody around there disliked him so.”