"
"Oh, thank you. I have secured it," said Cora. "But I would like
to explore this island."
Bess tugged at Cora's elbow. "Don't go too far. I am afraid of
that man," she said in a whisper.
"Were you drawing as we came up?" Cora asked the stranger. "This is
an ideal spot for sketching."
"Yes, I was drawing," he replied.
"Couldn't we see your picture?" asked Cora. "I do so love an
outline."
"Oh, indeed it is not worth looking at. I must show you something
when I have what will be worth while. This is only a bare idea."
"Well," said Cora starting off through the wood, "I must look for a
cabin, or something like it. I have particular business with Jim
Peters."
"But you will only hurt your feet miss," objected the man. "Allow
me to show you the island," and he bowed again. "Such wild swamp
flowers I have never seen. It is the everglades, and well worth the
short journey."
There was something about his insistent civility that betokened a
set purpose, and since Ben (what a wonder Ben was) had told Cora
that a man named Jones "hung out" with Jim Peters, Cora instantly
guessed that this was the man, and that he was determined to keep
her away from the shack. The situation gave zest to her purpose.
Bess was fairly quaking as Cora could see, but what danger could
there be in insisting upon finding that shack?
"I have only a short time to be out," objected Cora, "and perhaps
some other time I will come to see your everglade.
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