"We must arrange to get him away from here--Laurel's father," he
said, as he put his arms about Cora. "Do you think he is strong
enough to be moved?"
"I'll ask Laurel," replied Cora joyfully. If only now both the
hermit and his daughter could leave that awful island. The other
girls stepped to the door in answer to Cora's signal.
"Oh, I am afraid he is too weak for that now," Laurel whispered.
"But when he is able I will have him taken to a hospital. That man
kept us in terror. Now he is gone and I feel almost free."
"You have heard that he is gone?" questioned Cora.
"I had a letter," replied the other simply, and this answer only
served to make a new matter of query for Cora. But she could not
ask it now.
"He is sleeping," said Laurel. "Look!"
Cora went over to the pallet and looked down at the man who lay
there. Yes, he was noble looking in spite of the growth of his hair
and beard, and Cora could see wherein his daughter resembled him.
There seemed something like a benediction in that hut, and as the
thought stole over her, Cora breathed a prayer that it should not
come in the shape of death.
"He's lovely," Cora said to Laurel. "Let us go out and not disturb
him."
Jack and the others were waiting silently outside. Cora spoke to
her brother. He understood.
"You girls had better go back," he said, "Ed and I will stay here to
help Laurel.
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