For a single instant the two girls in the caps and aprons stood like statues. Then they evidently saw the two men who stood directly back of Cora.
With a scream that penetrated the distance and the glass windows, the two unfortunate girls dropped their trays on the counter, and dashed out of the store into the kitchen, showing fright and terror as they ran.
“They saw the detectives,” declared Cora. “Oh, I must reach them! But in this crowd!”
Some one tapped Cora on the shoulder.
It was one of the Squaton detectives.
[CHAPTER XXIV—THE TWO ORPHANS]
“Oh, Rose! I can’t go another step! Let them catch us if they want to. I think I—a—am going to—die!”
“Nellie dear, try to keep up. We will be at the station soon. And you know those were detectives from home! Oh, try to keep on!”
“I—can’t! I’ve got to stop!”
The girl sank in the sand like the poor, tired, frightened little thing that she was. Rose put her arms round her sister, and her tears fell on the sunburned cheek that lay so helpless there, supported only by an arm equally sunburned, and equally exhausted.