"Yes, and I think she is the very one we need," replied Ed. "She may even be able to help us in our search."
"She is wonderfully clever, and it seems she did not mean to desert us at all. There is some sort of story back of her attention to the wounded ones at Restover," said Bess, who had been sitting at a little desk, busy with some mail.
A hall boy tapped at the door and announced that some one wished to see
Mr. Kimball.
"Come along, Ed," said Jack. "You represent us."
In the hotel office they met two detectives sent by Mr. Rand. They explained that they would have to have a picture of Cora to use in the press, for the purpose of getting help from the public by any possible identification.
At first Jack objected, but Ed showed him that this move was necessary. So it was, with other matters, very painful for the young man to arrange with the strangers, where his sister's private life was concerned. Jack soon disposed of his part of the interview. He declared that Cora had no gentleman friends other than his own companions; also that she had never had any romantic notions about the stage or such sensational matters. In seeking all the information they could possibly obtain, that might assist in getting at a clew, the detectives, of course, were obliged to ask these and other questions.
"Has all the wood been searched?" asked Jack.
"Every part, even the caves," replied the detective. "We visited several bands of gypsies, but could not hold them—they cleared themselves."
"But the gypsies had threatened her," insisted Jack. "Could any have left the country by way of Boston?"
"Impossible. We have had all New York and New England roads carefully watched."