Cora solved the trouble.
“We can go to Hartford in our boat,” she said, “and from there it is only a short trip to the Junction. We could hire an auto.”
This was done. In the Chelton, the motor girls and the boys went to Hartford, making good time in getting there. A neighbor came over to the bungalow to stay with Mrs. Lewis, who grew more alarmed as the night deepened.
The trip by auto, which was taken only by Jack, Cora and the chauffeur, was marked by the mishap of a blown-out tire, but that was all. When the Junction was finally reached, there, true to his promise, was the hackman, and to Cora’s excited inquiries he gave reassuring answers.
Yes, Freda was all right, and safe at his house. He directed Jack and Cora there, and soon all were reunited. Then explanations were offered, Freda’s fears about her mother were quieted, and the trip back to Hartford made, where the motor boat party was anxiously waiting.
“And now for the bungalow!” sighed Cora, as she took her place at the familiar wheel. A little later it was reached, and mother and daughter were together again telling their stories, and speculating much about Freda’s strange message and the mysterious woman. But the puzzle could not be solved.