"Everett, I'm in dreadful trouble. Can't you come over a moment?"
"Of course, dear girl. I'll come right away."
Not many minutes later Ann herself ushered Everett into the drawing-room, where she had spent such happy hours with him. But, when they were alone, her distrust of him once more took possession of her, and she looked sharply at him as she asked:
"Everett, do you know where Fledra has gone?"
"Who? Fledra Vandecar?" His taunt was untimely, and his daring smile changed her distrust to repulsion.
"No; you know whom I mean—Fledra Cronk. She's, not here. Horace has gone away for a few days, and I'm wild with anxiety. Will you help me find her, Everett? She must be here with us until it is decided which way the matter will go."
They had been standing apart; but the girl's words drew him closer, and he took her hand in his. He had truly missed her, and was glad to be in her confidence once more.
"Ann, you've never been frank with me in this matter; but I'm going to return good for evil. I really don't know where the girl is; still, anything I can do I will. But I do know that her father has seen her; for he told me about it. It was—"
Ann cut him off with a sharp cry:
"But he's seen her only the once, Everett—only that one afternoon when he first came."