The doctor had been consulted soon after they reached Bermuda and when Margaret had grown a little stronger. His verdict was that with a certain kind of treatment there was a slight hope that she might some day recover the use of her limbs. This treatment she had had during the whole of their stay, with the wonderful result that, two weeks before their return, Margaret took her first steps with the crutches. The specialist himself was returning to New York shortly and would continue his work with her. He was now almost positive that she might, in the course of time, even discard her crutches and walk alone, on her two feet, unassisted, like the rest of ordinary humanity. It was a treat to watch the beaming happiness on Margaret's face while Corinne rehearsed this tale. It spoke more eloquently than any words she could have uttered.
"Well, that's your big surprise!" sighed Bess, contentedly. "And it certainly is a monster one! Now what's the other? You know you wrote that there were two!"
"The other's almost as big!" exclaimed Margaret, her eyes snapping with eagerness. "We've found out the whole history of Alison, and solved every bit of the mystery!"
"No!" cried three of the listeners in astonishment. "Honestly? Tell us—right away! We thought you'd forgotten all about it!"
"No," said Margaret, "I'm not going to tell you just now. To-morrow we'll have a big old meeting of the Antiquarian Club, and we'll give the entire account then! Not a minute before!"
"But did you find the owner of the sapphire signet?" they clamored.
And to this, also, the provoking Margaret would only lay her finger on her lips, and smile, and murmur, "To-morrow!"