"Agnes, you don't mean--"

"Yes, I do mean that I believe--that I am sure that these Smiths are
those very identical Smithsons."

"Oh, Agnes, what makes you think so? Smith is such a very common name,
you know."

"Yes, I know it; but here is a girl whose name is Smith, and she is with
a Mrs. Smith, her aunt, and they are staying at a summer resort near
Boston. How does that fit?"

"Oh, Agnes, it does look like--as if it must be, doesn't it?" cried
Dora, in a sort of shuddering enjoyment of the sensational situation.

"Of course it does. I knew I was right about those people. I knew there
was something queer and mysterious about them. And what do you
think,--only yesterday I happened to go into the little parlor, where
there are writing-materials, and there sat this very Peggy Smith
directing a letter; and when she went out, I happened to cast my eyes at
the blotting-pad she had used, and I couldn't help reading--for it was
just as plain as print--the last part of the address, and it was--'South
America'!"




CHAPTER IV.