"Did you see something?" asked Walter.
"Something—yes," admitted Jack. "A bird, I think."
"But I didn't hear the flutter of wings."
"I don't know as to that. Anyhow, there are birds enough here. Come on."
They glanced back to where Bess had stopped to look at a beautiful orchid, in shape itself not unlike some bird of most brilliant plumage.
"Oh, if father could only see that!" she sighed. "It is too beautiful to pick."
Cora and her chums closed up to the boys, and then, as they made their way down a little grassy hill, into a sort of glade, Cora uttered a sudden and startled cry.
"Look!" she gasped, clutching Jack's arm in such a grip that he winced.
"Where?" he asked.
"Right under those trees."