CHAPTER X
THE SECRET SIGNALS
Ruth was stretched out on a steamer rug on the warm sands, lazilylooking out over the blue waters.
Barbara was disporting herself in the waves like a water sprite who haddared to show herself among mortals. Many of the bathers stopped towatch with admiration the figure of the young girl plunging gracefullythrough the waves.
But Ruth was not watching Barbara. She was thinking deeply.
Why had the Countess Sophia von Stolberg refused to prosecute the twoforeigners who had deliberately insulted her?
Immediately after their return from the picnic Mr. Stuart had writtenthe young countess a note. He suggested that he have the two strangersput out of their hotel, even driven away from Palm Beach. But thecountess's reply had been polite, but firm. No; she did not wish toprosecute her annoyers. The men had simply made a mistake. There wouldbe less notoriety if she let the matter drop.
Mr. Stuart was not satisfied. He assured the countess that he and Mr.Warren had sufficient influence to have the two men sent away withoutthe least publicity attending their dismissal. Still the decision of thecountess remained unchanged. She graciously thanked Mr. Stuart for hiskindness, but she really preferred to let the whole matter drop.
There was nothing more to be said.
Ruth now observed these same two men. They were seated not far from her,watching Barbara with stolid admiration. So far as Ruth knew they hadnot repeated their attempt to arrest the countess. But they had notconfessed their error, nor offered to apologize either to Mr. Stuart orto the countess.
The story that there was a notorious woman swindler at large at PalmBeach was now common gossip.
"It is absurd to suspect the countess," Ruth thought as she reviewed therecent disagreeable incident. "If the scandal goes any further I shallside with her, no matter what may be the consequences." Ruth ended herreverie by making this last statement aloud. But she was sorry a secondlater.
A voice spoke at her elbow. "Do you think, Mademoiselle Ruth," itinquired, "that suspicion of a certain person will reach a point whereyou will be required to take sides?"
Ruth started. She had been in a brown study, and was embarrassed andannoyed at having been caught speaking aloud.
The voice belonged to Monsieur Duval. He had come dripping from his swimin the ocean, and had laid himself in the sand directly behind Ruthwithout her noticing him.
"To what suspicion do you refer, Mr. Duval?" Ruth asked haughtily. Sheknew this clever Frenchman could read her mind like an open book. Butshe did not intend to confess that her remark had referred to the youngcountess.
Monsieur Duval smiled. "I am afraid I listened at the door of yourthoughts," he said. "I think I can guess with whom you intend to takesides. But I promise not to betray your secret. I am sorry I overheardyour last remark. Yet I do not see why you think the Countess Sophia maybe accused of being this notorious woman criminal. It is true she allowsherself to be persecuted without reason. She will not appear at this, orany other hotel, and keeps herself as much in seclusion as possible.Also she will not tell us the country of her birth, nor does she referto any friends, but----" Monsieur Duval stopped.
Ruth was indignant at the array of evidence that this Monsieur Duval wasable to present against the young countess. She flushed guiltily, butwisely refrained from answering the Frenchman.
Mr. Duval was obliged to continue the conversation.
"Do you wish to help your friend?" he asked Ruth quietly.
"Of course," Ruth replied warmly.
The Frenchman leaned over. "Then watch everything, but say nothing. And,above all things, do not have a too accurate memory."
Ruth was about to make an angry retort, when Mr. Duval skilfully changedthe subject of their conversation. He praised Bab's wonderful diving. Itreminded him of Neapolitan boys he had seen diving for pennies. Mr.Duval next told Ruth of a walking trip he had once made through southernItaly. She listened very much against her will to the entertainingFrenchman and it was with distinct relief that she saw Miss Sallieapproaching them, dressed in an imported lavender linen and carrying aparasol and a book.
Maud and her count appeared from the opposite direction. They also cameforward to join Ruth and Monsieur Duval. Bab ran up the beach, shakingthe drops of water from her blue bathing suit, her wet curls sparklingin the sun.
Mr. Duval did not wish to remain with so large a party. His words hadbeen for Ruth's ears alone. As Miss Stuart approached he bowedironically to Ruth and strolled away.
"How glad I am that we are not in the cold, sleet and blizzards ofChicago, child," Miss Stuart remarked, bringing Ruth back to earthagain. "The Countess Sophia was right in saying our American climate inthe north is unbearable in the winter time. I never felt so well in mylife as I do in this delightful place."
"Aunt Sallie," asked Ruth thoughtfully, ignoring the weather, and goingback to the idea that was uppermost in her mind. "Do you think theCountess Sophia could be in need of money?"
"How can I tell, child?" replied Miss Sallie. "The countess dressesplainly, but her gowns are in excellent taste. They are made by amodiste in Vienna, who, I happen to know, is one of the most expensivein Europe. On the other hand Madame de Villiers and the countess livevery quietly. They keep only two servants. But the countess has the airof a woman of wealth and culture."
"Are we going to dine with the countess to-morrow night?" asked Ruthimpetuously.
"Certainly, child," Miss Sallie replied, her serenity undisturbed. "Itis true your father may not have returned from his fishing trip, butthere is no reason why we should not go without him."
Ruth closed her eyes. Could it be possible that they might be invited toeat food paid for by money gained dishonestly? Surely Monsieur Duvalcould not have spoken the truth!
"Here comes that Mrs. De Lancey Smythe," remarked Miss Sallie withsudden energy. "I do wish that woman would keep away from us."
"Aunt Sallie," said Ruth, "what do you dislike most about Mrs. De LanceySmythe?"
"Don't ask me, my dear," returned Miss Stuart rather impatiently."Everything I should say. I must confess that the very sight of herirritates me."
"There is something peculiar about her, at any rate," said Ruth, "I haveseen her face grow hard as rock and look positively wicked when shethought no one was noticing her. Marian is afraid of her, too."
"Nonsense, Ruth," replied Miss Sallie severely. "You and Barbara letyour imaginations have too free rein. I don't approve of the woman anddislike her intensely, but I am not going to make her out an ogre."
"She is, though," persisted Ruth. "That's why you don't like her, onlyyou don't know it yourself. Some day you'll see I am right. Oh, herecome Mollie and Grace. What's new, chilluns?" and springing to her feetRuth called to Bab then hurried toward the approaching girls.
Mollie and Grace had been out in a boat all morning with some newfriends they had made at the hotel. As Ruth walked toward them shenoticed that Mollie's cheeks were very red, and that she wore a look ofsuppressed excitement. Grace seemed almost equally agitated. Before shecould reach them, however, she was hailed by a crowd of young people whowere strolling on the beach, and she and Bab were obliged to stop andhold conversation.
Mollie felt that it was imperative to summon Bab and Ruth. How could shemanage without being observed? A sudden thought came to her. Putting herhand back to her curls she hastily untied the ribbon that bound them.The ribbon was blue. In an instant Mollie twisted it into a bow knot andpinned it on her left shoulder. Would Barbara and Ruth remember what thesecret signal meant?
Mollie need not have wondered. Hastily separating themselves from thecrowd of talkers Bab and Ruth sped up the beach to join Mollie andGrace.
"What is it, Mollie?" cried Bab out of breath. "I remember the blueribbon. It was to signify: 'I have important news to communicate!' Whathas happened?"
"As we passed the countess's villa on the launch, this morning," Molliewhispered mysteriously, "we saw a red flag tied to one o
f the posts ofher pavilion. The countess wishes to see us on important business!"