"I don't like to suppose any such horrible thing!" returned Alice, brightly. "It's terrible, to be sure; but let's not think too much about it. It may get on our nerves."
"But if we could only help find them," went on Ruth, on whom the story seemed to have made a profound impression.
"I don't see how we can," remarked Alice, thoughtfully. "We know nothing about the country, or conditions, here. Those who have lived here all their lives are better qualified to make a search."
"Say, wouldn't it be great if we could find them!" cried Russ, as he listened to the story. "What a film it would make!"
"Oh, Russ!" reproved Ruth. "To think of such a thing at this time!"
"Why, what's the matter?" he asked, ruefully, for Ruth's manner was a little cold toward him.
"Of course Russ naturally thinks of the picture end of it," put in Alice, determined to soften the unintended effect of Ruth's manner.
"I suppose so," agreed Ruth, and she gave Russ a glance that made up for what she had said.
"I do wish we could do something," said Paul, "but, as Alice says, it doesn't seem possible."
The hotel at Sycamore was nothing to boast of, but it answered fairly well as the moving picture company would be outdoors practically all the time, as Mr. Pertell pointed out. The weather was like early Summer—most delightful—and it was a temptation to wander out under the stately, graceful palms, which cast a grateful shade.