“In the same mail came another very nice letter from a strange man named Johnston. He said the night of the fire he saw a man who was carrying this package faint dead away on the bridge. He believes now the man was one of the thieves. Anyway, he took him into his automobile and the thief must have come to and not known where he was, because he escaped somehow, probably to go back and look for the package, which Mr. Johnston has expressed to me.”
“Well, of all the strange stories!”
“But the question is now, what to do with the thing?” continued Billie.
If Billie had been a few years older, she would probably have gone straight to Miss Campbell, or to Miss Campbell’s lawyer, Mr. Richard Butler, Elinor’s uncle, for advice. The jewels would then have been stored in the bank for safe-keeping and proper means taken to find the owner. But it seemed to her that having given her word she must keep it, and hide the jewels herself in some safe place until she heard from Mr. Lafitte. After all, he might be on a journey somewhere, and they could only wait patiently.
“Let’s go and consult our guide, counsellor, and friend,” suggested Mary.
“Who?” asked the other girls, in some doubt.
“Why, the motor car, of course. Isn’t he the cheerfullest, finest friend in the world; always ready to give pleasure; always smiling and ruddy, and ready to come and go, stay still or move on—bless him?”
“He is a dear,” said Billie, pleased with this extravagant praise of her beloved car.
The girls had come to consider “The Comet” almost as a living thing, like a pet horse or a favorite dog. They loved it as ardently as children love a pony which has borne them all on his back at one time around the garden.
It was decided then to take a spin in the car and the four friends were soon in their accustomed places on the red leather seats.