CHAPTER XIII

FOLLOW THE LEADER

When the Girl Scouts went to sleep that night, they had every intention of making the usual start at eight o’clock in the morning. Yet Mrs. Remington did not feel justified in asking to be called; they were all tired-out, and needed what sleep they could get. Moreover, she did not anticipate any real delay.

The surprise was therefore very great when Marjorie awakened to hear the town clock striking twelve. One glance at Lily told her that her companion had scarcely stirred during the night; a shout into the adjoining room assured her that the other girls were still in bed.

An overpowering sense of calamity hovered over her until she was able to recall the events of the previous night, and remembered that they had been robbed of all their ready cash. Just as she was about to arouse Lily, Mrs. Remington softly entered the room. Instantly Marjorie discerned that something further was wrong:

What is it, Mrs. Remington? she asked without any ceremony.

My travellers’ checks are gone, replied her visitor, with a slight tremor in her voice. I did carry them in my satchel, but yesterday I remember that I transferred them to my purse. And of course I handed that over to the bandits!

Instead of being alarmed at this piece of information, Marjorie looked immensely relieved.

That’s all right! she exclaimed, gleefully. It’ll be a good joke on the thieves, for we’ll telegraph the bank to stop payment—

Yes, yes, interrupted Mrs. Remington. All well and good. But that won’t help us now. We haven’t any money!

Oh, horrors! gasped Marjorie, looking from Lily to Mrs. Remington in distress.

Don’t you suppose somebody will cash an ordinary check? asked Lily, hopefully.

Nobody knows us here. No, there is no chance except from the bank. We could wire home for money— Mrs. Remington stopped abruptly, a cloud crossing her brow. But we can’t do that till Monday—for all the banks close at noon on Saturday.

Oh! wailed Marjorie; now we are in for it! And we have to be at Aunt Emeline’s by midnight on Monday.

We can’t possibly! cried Lily, bursting into tears, an act which summoned the other scouts from the adjoining rooms and necessitated a restatement of the facts as they now stood.

Maybe the proprietor of this hotel will cash a check for us, suggested Alice, optimistically.

He might; but I don’t think he would unless we had some means of identification, said Ethel. No, I guess we may as well make up our minds to stay until after nine o’clock on Monday morning.

Nevertheless we can approach the man on the subject, Marjorie remarked. He can’t do any worse than refuse.

He might put us out, said Lily.

With all possible celerity, Mrs. Remington left the room to put the proposal to a test. When she returned in fifteen minutes the girls knew instantly by her expression that she had been unsuccessful. However, the proprietor had extended them the courtesy of an invitation to remain as long as they wished.

Then, concluded Alice, we have to stay over Sunday, and trust to luck that we can make Aunt Emeline’s in one day. Let’s don’t worry any more—there’s simply nothing to be done!

But Marjorie and Mrs. Remington decided to leave no stone unturned in their attempt to raise money. First of all they went to the police authorities with a full report of their misfortune; then they sought the president of the local bank, a Mr. Simpson, at his own home. Here they were received graciously, not only by the man himself, but by his wife as well, and into their sympathetic ears they poured their disconcerting tale. Neither seemed to doubt its authenticity for a single instant.

I can’t do anything for you in the bank’s name, the president informed them when the story was finished, but I will be glad to help you personally. It won’t inconvenience me in the least!

You can telegraph our bank at home, and get a reply on Monday, Mrs. Remington suggested.

I don’t need any further proof of your honesty, answered Mr. Simpson, with a kindly smile; your faces and your uniforms are sufficient!

Marjorie unceremoniously let out a shriek.

But we can’t accept help from you—splendid as it is of you to offer it! she objected. Because our rules forbid us!

What rules? asked the man, in amazement. Marjorie hastened to make the necessary explanation; and although Mr. Simpson protested that he was not to be classed as a man along the road, the girl stuck to her resolution.

We don’t want to leave a loop-hole of uncertainty, she said; we can’t be too careful—it might disqualify us.

Then I positively can’t do anything to help you? he inquired, in obvious disappointment.

No, you can’t, dear, replied his wife, quietly. But— she beamed all over her face, for she had taken a fancy to Marjorie—but I can, and will!

Oh, thank you! cried the girl, jumping up in joy. And let’s settle down to business right away—for there isn’t a moment to be lost!

It was five o’clock in the afternoon when Marjorie and Mrs. Remington finally left his house; too late, of course, to consider beginning to drive that night. They hurried back to the hotel and found three of the girls waiting for them on the porch. Daisy and Florence were missing.

As soon as Mrs. Remington had told her story she inquired for the other two girls. Lily and Ethel exchanged amused glances, and Alice informed her that they had discovered some friends at the hotel and had gone for a walk with them.

Friends! repeated Marjorie. Then they could probably have helped us out on the money question!

Yes, I believe that they offered to, remarked Ethel indifferently. But I’m glad we don’t have to accept their assistance.

What’s the matter? demanded Marjorie. Who are they?

Three guesses!

Not those young men who own that red racer? she asked, almost contemptuously.

The very same, laughed Alice.

How did they get here? inquired Mrs. Remington.

I don’t know—except that their car brought them, returned Ethel.

They certainly do follow us! exclaimed Marjorie. And I tell you what, she added emphatically, I’m getting sick of them! Every time that there is a misfortune, they are on hand. Something else will probably go wrong now!

Something else has gone wrong, answered Lily. I wanted to move the car out to have it washed, and I found that there was water in the carburetor. I mentioned it to the young men, and they wanted to fix it—

You didn’t, let them? interrupted Marjorie sharply.

Mercy no! If we lose our rewards I want it to be for reason which we couldn’t help—not because we were weak enough to accept assistance from men.

Here they all come! announced Alice, suddenly. The girls look happy enough!

Too happy! growled Marjorie. Well, I’m going in—I don’t care about meeting these men again.

Just as she disappeared within the doorway of the hotel, the four young people mounted the porch steps.

Perhaps we could help you, suggested McDaniel, graciously, after he had paid his respects to Mrs. Remington. But if we do, we want to exact a promise!

Yes? queried Mrs. Remington.

You all stay here over tomorrow morning and don’t start until after dinner. Then we’ll advance you enough money to get to San Francisco!

Ethel’s lips curled ever so imperceptibly.

Many thanks, Mr. McDaniel, she said, coldly, without waiting for Mrs. Remington to speak; but we already have secured what funds we need from the president of the bank. And, she added maliciously, we are starting at seven o’clock tomorrow morning!

Both men looked crest-fallen at her words, and McDaniel turned imploringly to Mrs. Remington.

Please stay just till after dinner tomorrow! he begged. We had made such a thrilling plan—

As thrilling as winning seven automobiles? interrupted Ethel, sarcastically.

Neither man made any attempt to answer this question, and Ethel left the porch to join Marjorie. Finding her up in her room, she settled herself to repeat the foregoing conversation.

Marj! she cried, her eyes still flashing with anger at the effrontery of the young men, do you know that I almost believe those people are in league against us. They just seem bent on delaying us whenever it is possible!

Yes, indeed, replied Marjorie, I have been thinking that all along. Just wait till we get to San Francisco! Then I’m going to question Aunt Emeline pretty closely about it. If she has been mean enough to employ them—

Oh, well, we’ll win out anyhow, in spite of everything! Ethel asserted triumphantly.

And we won’t take their advice about roads, either! said Marjorie. We won’t repeat our experience in Chicago!

There was no need, however, to worry about which road to take, for the Lincoln Highway was in the best condition and stretched before them straight to the coast. They travelled all day Sunday, taking the precaution to select a hotel before sun-down. One day only remained before the stipulated time should expire; yet the girls felt confident that they could reach Miss Vaughn’s house before midnight of the first of August.

They awoke early on the morning of their last day, eager to complete their long journey, and to receive their rewards. It was with a sinking sensation that they saw rain-drops on windows, and clouds in the sky, but they had no intention of allowing the weather to defeat them. Deciding to proceed cautiously rather than too speedily, they made their way across the country to the city that is the gateway of the west. The journey was tiresome and somewhat of a strain, in spite of the beautiful scenery, but it was successful. At six o’clock that evening they reached the center of the city.

We can’t walk in at this time of the night and surprise Aunt Emeline, said Marjorie. So hadn’t we better go to a hotel for supper, freshen up a bit, and telephone to her that we are on our way?

Then she could give us explicit directions about how to get there, put in Alice.

Are you sure that we have time enough? asked Ethel. It takes a long time to eat dinner in a hotel. And midnight tonight—

Oh, we have oceans of time! exclaimed Daisy, laughingly. All our worries are over now! Accordingly they stopped at one of the largest hotels, and Alice went immediately to the telephone booth. What a shock she received when she discovered that Miss Vaughn was not listed!

Probably she doesn’t want to be bothered with charity solicitors, and keeps her name out of the book, suggested Lily.

Or perhaps she’s too old-fashioned to have a phone, observed Alice, bitterly. Hard luck for us!

And yet she’s up-to-date enough to be interested in Girl Scouts, said Marjorie.

And to present us with motor-cars! put in Daisy.

She hasn’t yet, remarked Ethel; and won’t if we don’t get there before midnight!

Well, I always knew that she was as queer as they make ’em, said Alice. She’s awfully old, you know, and though she has made a will in favor of those two nephews, mother says they live in deadly terror lest she’ll change it for some whim.

I believe it! laughed Marjorie. She certainly has kept us in fear and trembling for the last few weeks. But I really think that we are going to get the best of her at last!

At eight o’clock they started on their way again, in the general direction of the suburb in which Miss Vaughn lived. So jolly and gay were the girls that they lost all track of time; only Marjorie and Ethel kept looking anxiously for the big school-house that was to mark their turning. When houses became fewer and farther apart, and the landscape took on the appearance of the country rather than of the suburbs, Marjorie experienced growing apprehension lest they were lost. At last she stopped the car and turned to the others for consultation.

We’re on the wrong track, I’m sure! she declared; and I think that we had better go back to the hotel and start again. It’s ten o’clock.

Ten o’clock! repeated Lily in dismay. Suppose we waste two more hours! We’ll never make it!

I have an idea, continued Marjorie. We won’t take any chances. Two of you girls take a taxi and give the driver the address; then we’ll play follow the leader close behind with our machine.

The plan was immediately adopted, and at eleven o’clock they were back at the hotel where they started. Lily and Mrs. Remington were elected to ride in the taxi, which, to the girls’ surprise, drove off in the opposite direction from which they had just come. Marjorie turned about and trailed it for about half an hour; then, at precisely twenty-five minutes after eleven, they entered an impressive gateway and drove up the long, winding road which led to the Vaughn mansion. The girls were so awe-struck by its grandeur that they almost neglected to pay the taxi driver.

I’ve never been in any place so wonderful! gasped Daisy, as she mounted the steps.

It looks like the movies, added Ethel. I hardly expect to find real people—

We had better not delay too long, advised Florence, calling them back to the practical. We have only half an hour before our time is up, and it may take them that long to answer the bell!

Especially if they have gone to bed, remarked Alice.

But surely they’d wait till midnight! said Marjorie.

A moment later, in answer to their ring, the door was opened by a butler, and the girls entered the most magnificent house they had ever seen. They believed that at last they were safe from delay and disaster; they had won their goal! The grandfather’s clock in the hall struck the half hour as they passed into the drawing-room.