Ruth drove at once to a telegraph office, where she telegraphed to Miss Sallie: "Safe in North Adams with Eunice. Had a fine trip. Expect you and Mr. Latham in the morning. All is well. Do not worry. Ruth."
Ruth and her friends put up at the Wilson House in North Adams. They explained to the hotel proprietor that they were staying in Lenox. Their aunt would join them the next day.
Five weary girls slept the sleep of the just.
Miss Stuart and Mr. Winthrop Latham did not arrive in North Adams the next morning.
A little before noon, Miss Sallie telegraphed to Ruth: "Must see Indian woman before we join you. Proof of child's identity required. Wait."
Barbara shook her head. "More of the work of Mrs. Latham and Reginald," she suggested.
Soon after the receipt of Ruth's telegram, the afternoon before, Miss Stuart telephoned Mr. Winthrop Latham, "Will you please come to the hotel to see me immediately?"
Now, Miss Sallie realized her difficult position. How was she to protect the interests of Eunice without accusing Mr. Latham's relatives of evil designs against the child?
She called up Naki in Pittsfield and told him to come to her hotel that evening. "Naki can tell Mr. Latham what I cannot," Miss Sallie reflected. "He can report the visit of Mrs. Latham and Reginald to the Indian squaw, and can make Mr. Latham see his sister's intentions."
Mr. Latham arrived first for the interview with Miss Stuart. He looked worn and tired.
"My 'Automobile Girls' have run off with Eunice!" Miss Stuart at once informed him.
"Why should there be any running away with the child?" Mr. Latham asked impatiently. "I could very easily have gone up to the wigwam in the morning. I think, in many respects, it will be wisest to see the Indian woman and child on their own ground. To tell you the truth, Miss Stuart, I shall require positive proofs that this Indian girl is the child that my brother's Indian wife carried away from our home years ago."
"Certainly, Mr. Latham," Miss Stuart replied quietly. "I entirely agree with you; but I think it may be possible to secure such proofs."
"I have been talking to my sister and nephew of this child," Mr. Latham continued. "They regard the idea that this little Eunice is the daughter of my brother's wife as absurd. They recalled the fact that we were positively assured of the child's death. They do not believe it possible that the Indian relatives would not have claimed the child's fortune for her. There were a number of educated Indians living in the town of Stockbridge at the time. My brother's wife took refuge with them after leaving us."