"Isn't she lovely!" exclaimed Bess to Ed. "I do believe she is studying for the stage."
"Shouldn't wonder," replied the young man under his breath. Then the girl finished the song and bowed with such pretty piquancy that everybody demanded more of her talent.
Jack was still watching the dark man. As the girl left the platform the latter left his seat and went outside of the pavilion.
Presently a messenger tapped Miss Blake on the shoulder, "Your niece wishes to speak to you," the boy said, and at that Jeanette Blake also left her seat and the room.
"Something mysterious about that," said Jack to Hazel, "and I propose seeing it out if I can. I will take you over to the others, and run outside."
Just as he said that, a boy appeared on the platform and announced that owing to an important message Miss Blake was obliged to leave the hall and could not accommodate with her second number, but that some one else would try to fill her place.
A murmur of dissent arose from the audience.
"How could she get an important message here," Cora asked Ed.
"Where in the world could it come from?"
Jack pushed a chair for Hazel in line with the others.
"I am going outside for a moment," he said. "Take care of the girls until I come back."