“It just depends,” observed Marjorie, “upon how far the detour lasts. If it keeps up off the main road for a good distance, I should say that we had better turn back to that hotel we just passed.”
“No! No!” protested Alice. “Don’t let’s do that—when time is so precious!”
“But if we don’t know where we are going—” objected Lily.
“On! On!” cried Florence, dramatically. “We want to get to the coast!”
“And what care we for danger?” challenged Alice.
A daring spirit of adventure seemed to have taken possession of the little party, for they one and all agreed that they wanted to press on. Alice gladly turned to the wheel again, and released her brakes.
They continued on the same road for about fifteen minutes; all the while the cars which they passed became fewer and fewer, and the road more narrow and rough. Then they began to look anxiously for detour signs, or for a hotel; but neither appeared. Finally Alice declared that she knew that they were lost.
“Here’s a building with a light—let’s stop here and inquire!” she suggested. “Probably they can direct us back to the Lincoln Highway.”
“But we won’t all go in and leave the car alone this time,” remarked Florence, with a significant glance at Alice. “The same thief might come along again!”
“I’ll go and ask,” volunteered Mrs. Remington.