So it was that now, two days before Christmas, The Cedars was suddenly plunged into a state of subdued excitement.  What might happen next not even little Roger dared speculate about.

But that afternoon, when Major Dale was expected to return from his trip to the hospital, and Dorothy and Tavia were sufficiently rested to be down at the station waiting to meet them, the appearance of Miss Brooks brought Tavia suddenly back to the realization of her own predicament.

The little woman ran into the station just in time to obtain her ticket for a late city train, and had not a moment to spare, so that there was no opportunity of either Dorothy or Tavia exchanging a word with her.

“Whew!” exclaimed Tavia, glancing after the woman.  “What do you suppose it all means?  Did you observe the togs?”

“Didn’t she look pretty?” commented Dorothy, “I never saw a person change so with—­a new outfit.”

“Wonder if she found it—­in somebody’s bag?”

“Tavia!” exclaimed Dorothy, her voice ringing with indignation.  “You must never again speak that way of Miss Brooks.  We did wrong to suspect her for a moment.  She had absolutely nothing to do with the ring.”

“Oh, you know all about it, do you?  Of course, she says she had absolutely nothing to do with it.”

“No, she has said nothing of the kind.  The person who really took it—­that is, the one who put it in my bag—­has admitted doing it.”

“Who?”

“Well, you really must not ask, because, Tavia, dear, I know the person was terribly pressed, somehow, and it does not seem right for me to spread the story of her misfortune.  I haven’t even told Aunt Winnie.”

“Oh, of course, you can keep it to yourself if you have a mind to,” replied Tavia in injured tones, “but it strikes me that is rather too interesting a story to be so selfish about.”

Dorothy made no reply to this charge—­she had not the slightest idea of betraying the confidence Miss Dearing had given in her miserable confession.

Further than this, to-morrow Dorothy was determined to go to the city and search for Miss Dearing, even though it would be the day before Christmas.

The arrival of the city express, from which Major Dale alighted, stopped further comment.

“I was so afraid you would miss this train,” exclaimed Dorothy, embracing him, “and I was so worried about you—­things seem to be happening so queerly these days.”

“Yes, daughter,” replied the major, “things are certainly happening.  You should have seen Captain Mayberry in his new quarters.”

“Did they give him the new bed?  The one our play paid for?”

“Indeed, they did.  And, what’s better, they say he is not by any means incurable.  In fact, I am very hopeful, with the proper treatment—­”

“Well, I hope they won’t forget the proper treatment for that sister,” interrupted Tavia.