"Yes," Carrie admitted. "I had written one I intended leaving for—for that man. Then I decided not to and I tore it up just before I got out of the window. I suppose I must have dropped a piece. It was a letter saying I would never come back to Shadow Valley."
"How did you happen to come back here?" asked Mollie. "We were certainly puzzled at your sudden departure."
"A little while ago," resumed Carrie, "I read something in a paper referring to my case. It was a legal notice asking for news of my whereabouts, and saying I would hear of something to my advantage by calling on certain lawyers with papers to prove my identity. At first I feared this was a trap on the part of my guardian, but I inquired and learned that the law firm was a reputable one. There is a Mr. Allen Washburn connected with it."
"In Deepdale?" cried Betty, her cheeks flaming.
"Yes. But how did you know?" asked Carrie.
"Oh, I am—slightly acquainted with Mr. Washburn," said Betty, hesitatingly.
"Slightly—is good," murmured Grace.
"So I decided I would go see those lawyers," went on Carrie. "But first I wanted the papers. My guardian had them, but I recalled that the day we came here he placed them on the mantle in this room. I came back to get them, but they were gone, and then I heard a noise—I fainted—and, well, here I am, and you are here too, I see."
"It is quite a mystery," said Betty. "Now, I have this to propose. You come home, with us, and we will take you to Mr. Washburn, or have him come to see you. Perhaps he can dispense with the papers."
"Oh, I hope so!" Carrie cried. "If only I could have a new guardian, I might be happy."