with a real coun

enuineness of the Countess Sophia von Stolberg. Mrs. De Lancey S

beautiful than she had seemed at first.

able, quite lost the feeling of awe that had

e Villiers, the old lady with the hooked nose and the bird-like eyes. She, too, s

iends, when they were discussing their visit the following day. "The amused look on her face seemed to say: 'Thi

iking. Perhaps this was because Miss Sallie was not in the least af

n the centre of the table and smiled at Bab. Barbara's brown curls were still damp from their recent wetting. "Were there no

u see, it was very early in the morning. On

, with a spark of anger in her usually gentle

, yes," continued Ruth,

ess look

d fashion. "He refused to help? He ran away?"

my knees to beg him to save Bab. But he did not even take time to refus

d. "Ah, yes, he is the young Frenchman who was h

"The young man is only a chance acquaintance, whom my

nce acquaintance," smi

" exclaimed Mollie quickly, looking fondly at her p

unt," Ruth remarked bluntly. "We are civil to

ess looke

Society. They have a pretty good theory that there is no reason why boys should enjoy all the adventures and thrilling experiences. If there is anything to be done, why, do it! Isn't that the motto, girls? I think t

Ruth. "You are the very person who made us promis

de Sonde. I only consented to have you persuade Maud from certain undesirable associates by showing her h

are teasing," excl

ny such thing?" replied Mr.

things. I am sorry to be obliged to backbite, but really and truly we don't like Mrs. De Lancey Smythe. She is the most disagreeable person we know, and we are going to try gradually to wean Maud War

ated Miss Stuart. "You ar

Villiers. "She is one after my own heart. It is refresh

at her own game. She is trying to throw Maud in line with her own schemes. Enter the 'Automobile Girls.' Exit the enemy. The first

Ruth?" interrupted

e's rudeness to Bab and Bab's reply. "Marian is all right," concl

n eligible person, and has fallen in love, in earnest with Miss Warren, and suppose that M

aid that the count's title has dazzled her, and he does not like foreigners. He thinks we may be able to disabuse Maud of some of her sentimenta

!" protested Miss Sa

Villiers' eyes gle

t be a real secret society, if we are to be serious. Let me see? We should arrange signals and plan a campaign. If I am

we agreed last nigh

is a fortune-hunter?" argued Mollie. "For all we kn

ith Mademoiselle Warren," answered the countess, pinching Mollie's

," interposed Madame de Villiers, with an

an impostor, Madame de Vill

countess's eyes met thos

ws in answer to Miss Sallie's question: "The world is so

d hotly. There was

ng count was surely a stranger to her two hostesses. There was nothing to indicate that the young m

Stuart, to divert the conversation. "I suppose we had better be content with the posts of

enger," agreed Mr. Stuart. "I, too, shrink from bein

run away to the old boathouse and plan our campaign. We are not sure that we may safely confi

now led the way int

d by her four girl guests. "We'll arrange our secrets while

logetically at Miss Stuart and her brother. "The countess is only a girl herself," she explained. "O

replied Miss Sallie cordially. "You

ied Madame de Villiers, shak

ung countess entered so seriously into their make-believe that the girls almost forgot they were not in earnest. One thing they consc

Grace queried. She had been taking little part in the conversation, for she ha

won over to our side by flattering attentions. Suppose we start out being frie

ed a moment. "I fear you will think me rude. But I have made it a rule never to appear at the ho

t she could not help wondering why the countess was not

one which denotes danger is like this: Press the forefinger of one

tle hand. "Now, Mademoiselle Mollie, when you feel my finger press your

houlder, means that a secret meeting m

Countess Sophia. "But I should have a special signal by which to summon you. Let me see. I must be able to signal you from

l?" asked Grace, who was taki

the tower of my villa, come to me at once. I shall be in great danger. Now, is n

the water. The boat must have been hugging the shore until it reached the boathouse. Then it made for the open water. In the boa

een eavesdropping?" a

believe," the countess replied lightly,