“I believe you are right,” remarked Hood, feeling about in the grass, “and here’s a part of her costume.” He picked up something white and held it to his face. “She dropped her clown’s cap when you began shaking the scenery. I seem to remember that a girl’s hair is sweet like that! In old times the clown’s cap was supposed to possess magic. Son, we have begun well! A girl masquerading, happy victim of the May madness—this is the jolliest thing I’ve struck in years—a girl, out dancing all by her lonesome under the stars—Columbine playing Harlequin!”
“We might as well be off,” he added, relighting his pipe. “We frightened her ladyship, and she will dance no more to-night. However, we have her cap, which points the way for to-morrow’s work.”
“You’re going to hang around here watching a girl cut monkey-shines!” moaned Deering. “You haven’t forgotten what we’re looking for, have you!” he demanded, shaking his fist in Hood’s face.
“Once more, be calm! Don’t you see that you’re on the verge of a new ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’; that the world’s tired of work and gone back to play! Don’t talk like a tired business man whose wife has dragged him to see one of Ibsen’s frolics—‘Rosmersholm,’ for example—where they talk for three hours and then jump in the well! The fact that there’s one girl left in the world to dance under stars ought to hearten you for anything. We don’t find in this world the things we’re looking for, Deering; we’ve got to be ready for surprises. I won’t say that that’s the girl who ran off with your bonds; all I can say is that she’s as likely to be the one as any girl I can think of. Tut! Don’t imagine I don’t sympathize with you in your troubles; but forget them, that’s the ticket. This will do for to-night. We’d better go back to the Barton and to bed.”
He yawned sleepily and started toward the road. Deering caught him by the arm.
“I was just thinking—” he began.
“Thinking is a bad habit, my boy. Thought is the curse of the world. The less thinking we do the better off we are. Down at Pass Christian last winter I sat under a tree for a solid month and never thought a think. Most profitable time I ever spent in my life. Camped with a sneak-thief who was making a tour of the Southern resorts—nice chap; must tell you about him sometime.”
He chuckled as though the recollection of his larcenous companion pleased him tremendously.
“I don’t believe I’ll go back to the Barton just yet,” Deering suggested timidly. “It’s possible, you know, that that girl might——”
“You’ve got it!” exclaimed Hood eagerly, clapping his hands upon Deering’s shoulders. “The spell is taking hold! Wait here a thousand years if you like for that kid to come back, and don’t bother about me. But cut out your vulgar bond twaddle, and don’t ask her if she stole your suitcase! As like as not she’ll lead you to the end of the rainbow, and show you a meal sack bulging with red, red gold. Here’s her cap—better keep it for good luck.”