“And how about the bandits and the poor woman in the desert?” asked Florence, mockingly.
“Well, I’m not sure of them—those were things which are likely to happen to anybody. And yet the boys may have had part in them, for the bandits were masked and you remember that the woman received a one hundred dollar bill at that hotel—perhaps as a bribe!”
“You certainly have an imagination, Marj!” cried Daisy. “I can’t believe that!”
“Well, maybe that is too much,” admitted the other.
“But tell us how you persuaded Aunt Emeline to give us a second chance,” begged Alice.
Marjorie proceeded to relate the conversation of the previous evening, stating that her hostess had only made her decision known that morning. The girls congratulated her heartily upon the brilliancy of the idea, and the success in putting it across.
“But if you believe that all these things were planned against us, do you think that it would be safe to attempt the trip back?” asked Lily. “Wouldn’t Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Cryton lie in wait for you again?”
“No, I don’t think they would,” answered Marjorie. “They are improving under Daisy’s and Flos’s influence. If we have any interference, it will be from the Crowell boys themselves, for they won’t care about losing this new slice from their inheritance. In fact, I almost believe that if we persist in making the trip, they may resort to drastic measures.”
“But you’re not thinking of giving it up for that reason, are you, Marj?” asked Lily.
“No, of course not! Can you see me?”