glad to get a word with you. How are you?"

"Well? Now, you really can't be----"

"What? Going away? Run away?"

There was a long pause after this monologue.

Dr. Robbins was listening to the voice--presumably that of Leland.

Then--"Leland! Are you crazy?"

Another pause. The young woman's face might have been interpreted, but
the 'phone was silent to outsiders.

"You don't mean to say that you are going on some dangerous trip in the
mountains--yes, I hear, in the mountains--to help some foolish girl? I
know you did not say foolish; I said that. Leland, listen to me. Do
you hear? All right. Now, listen. Don't you dare to go away again
and not tell me exactly where you are going. I have only just--yes, I
know all about your ideas. I am sure she is charming and worthy and
all that, but----"

Dr. Robbins tapped her foot impatiently. Oh, the limits of the
telephone! If only she could reach that brother!

"If you do not--report--look for you around Hemlock Bend! Yes, we'll
do that. Oh, Leland!"

She dropped the receiver and stood like one shocked physically as well
as mentally. For a moment she remained there, then turned back to the
room at the side of the girls' suite.

Mr. Rand was sitting there.

"What has happened?" he demanded. "You look as if there had been a
ghost in that message."

"Oh, there was, Mr. Rand! What shall I do? That brother of mine is
running off again!"

"Where?"

"He didn't even say. His words were like those of some madman. If we
did not hear from him within three days, we are to look for him about
Hemlock Bend."

"Where in the world is Hemlock Bend?"

"As if we knew! That is just like Leland. Poor, dear Leland! Never
practical enough even to send a straight message. Oh, Mr. Rand, that
boy will kill us yet!"

"Don't you fear, little girl," and there was an unmistakable note of
tenderness in Mr. Rand's voice. "One who means well usually does well,
however strange may be his methods. The first thing to do is to see if
we can get him again at the Restover."

Without waiting for her answer, the gentleman rushed out in the hall
himself, and was presently calling up that hotel. As he happened to be
one of the owners of the summer house, it was not difficult for him to
get direct communication and answers. But the man asked for was gone.
Had just gone. Had just caught a north-bound train--the express.

"Can't get him there," reported Mr. Rand to