where he expected to accomplish
such great results.

* * * * *

"Where have you been, Ruth?" exclaimed Mrs. Montague, in an irritated
tone, as Mona entered that lady's parlor upon her return from the
detective's office. "I wish you wouldn't go out without consulting
me. I've been waiting here for a long time for you to mend these gloves."

"I am very sorry," Mona returned, flushing, "but after you went out
to drive I assisted the chambermaid, who was nearly crazy with the
toothache, to put some of the rooms in order; then, as you had not
returned, I went out for a little walk."

"Well, I don't mind about the walk, but I didn't bring you with me to do
chamber-work in every hotel we stop at," sharply retorted the much
annoyed lady. "You can go at the gloves right away," she added; "then
I shall want you to help me pack, for we are to leave on the first boat
to-morrow morning. And," she concluded, thus explaining to Mona her
unusual irritability, "we've got to make the trip alone, after all, for
my friend is worse this morning, and so the whole family have given it
up."

"I am sorry that you are to be disappointed. I should suppose you would
wish to give it up yourself. I am afraid you will not enjoy it at all,"
Mona replied, wondering why she did not at once return to New York
instead of keeping on.

"Of course, I shall not enjoy it," snapped the woman, but bestowing a
searching glance upon her companion, "and I would not go on, only Louis
was to join us at New Orleans, and it is too late now to change his
plans."

Mona's face fell at this unexpected and disagreeable intelligence.

The last thing she desired was Louis Hamblin's companionship, and she
would have been only too glad to return at once to New York.

"Could you not telegraph to him?" she suggested.

"No; for I suppose he has already left New York," Mrs. Montague curtly
replied.

Mona was quite unhappy over the prospect before her; then it suddenly
occurred to her that perhaps Detective Rider would need her as a witness,
if he should arrest the Waltons, and in that case she would be compelled
to return to New York.

Still she felt very uncomfortable even with this hope to encourage her,
and but for the discovery of that morning, she would have regretted
having consented to accompany Mrs. Montague upon her trip.

She sat down to mend the gloves, with what composure she could assume,
although her nerves were in a ve