CHAPTER X
THE SECRET SIGNALS
Ruth was stretched out on a steamer rug on the warm sands, lazily looking out over the blue waters.
Barbara was disporting herself in the waves like a water sprite who had dared to show herself among mortals. Many of the bathers stopped to watch with admiration the figure of the young girl plunging gracefully through the waves.
But Ruth was not watching Barbara. She was thinking deeply.
Why had the Countess Sophia von Stolberg refused to prosecute the two foreigners who had deliberately insulted her?
Immediately after their return from the picnic Mr. Stuart had written the young countess a note. He suggested that he have the two strangers put out of their hotel, even driven away from Palm Beach. But the countess’s reply had been polite, but firm. No; she did not wish to prosecute her annoyers. The men had simply made a mistake. There would be less notoriety if she let the matter drop.
Mr. Stuart was not satisfied. He assured the countess that he and Mr. Warren had sufficient influence to have the two men sent away without the least publicity attending their dismissal. Still the decision of the countess remained unchanged. She graciously thanked Mr. Stuart for his kindness, but she really preferred to let the whole matter drop.
There was nothing more to be said.