"I guess we will have to make the best of it for to-night," Cora sighed. "Shall I try to find the hut and get you some food?"
"And you have not eaten! In my misery I forgot you. Of course—there now—I am better, and we will have to make our way to the pine hut. But if that man comes back!" and she shuddered.
"Why does he hold such power over you?" asked Cora, as she put her arm protectingly around her companion. "Does he supply you with your things out here?"
"We supply him," replied the girl bitterly. "He is never satisfied but always demanding more, until father will soon have nothing left."
Cora was mystified but this was no time for the strange story. She must help the girl to the pine hut.
"I believe you are more weak for want of food than from illness,"
Cora said. "I hope we find something to eat."
"Oh, yes, he brought things, but he should have done so before. I am weak for food."
It was difficult to find the way back now in the darkness, but the two lonely, frightened girls trudged on. At last Laurel was able to feel the stone on the path that gave the clue to her little hut.
"Does Brentano know you?" she asked Cora suddenly.
"I know him. I have been to his shack, and I have heard a lot about him from a housekeeper who left Peters. Do you know he is a handwriting expert?"