“We read about it in a newspaper,” said Ruth.

“Yes, there were some items, but not many,” the clerk said.  “There wasn’t much to print, I guess.  So I just thought I’d warn you folks not to go too far off into the swamps or bayous.”

“And you may depend upon it—­we won’t!” exclaimed Miss Pennington.

“Our party will probably keep together,” explained Ruth, “as we will all be needed in the moving pictures.”

“That’s a good idea,” the clerk said.  “Take no chances.”

It was not long before the entire moving picture company had heard the story of the lost girls, and there was universal sympathy for them, and for their grief-stricken parents.

“I only wish we could do something!” said Ruth, and there were tears in her eyes as she looked toward her sister.  “Suppose it should be us?” she added.

“I don’t like to suppose any such horrible thing!” returned Alice, brightly.  “It’s terrible, to be sure; but let’s not think too much about it.  It may get on our nerves.”

“But if we could only help find them,” went on Ruth, on whom the story seemed to have made a profound impression.

“I don’t see how we can,” remarked Alice, thoughtfully.  “We know nothing about the country, or conditions, here.  Those who have lived here all their lives are better qualified to make a search.”

“Say, wouldn’t it be great if we could find them!” cried Russ, as he listened to the story.  “What a film it would make!”

“Oh, Russ!” reproved Ruth.  “To think of such a thing at this time!”

“Why, what’s the matter?” he asked, ruefully, for Ruth’s manner was a little cold toward him.

“Of course Russ naturally thinks of the picture end of it,” put in Alice, determined to soften the unintended effect of Ruth’s manner.

“I suppose so,” agreed Ruth, and she gave Russ a glance that made up for what she had said.

“I do wish we could do something,” said Paul, “but, as Alice says, it doesn’t seem possible.”

The hotel at Sycamore was nothing to boast of, but it answered fairly well as the moving picture company would be outdoors practically all the time, as Mr. Pertell pointed out.  The weather was like early Summer—­most delightful—­and it was a temptation to wander out under the stately, graceful palms, which cast a grateful shade.

There were not many other guests at the hostelry, and interest centered in the company of players.  They were asked many questions as to what they did, and how they did it, and when Russ set up his camera for the first time, merely to try it, and get the effect of light and shade, he was surrounded by a curious throng.

The scenery around Sycamore was most wonderful—­at least, so Ruth and Alice thought.  It was not that it was grand or imposing—­for it was anything but that.  Florida is a low-lying country with many lakes and swamps.  But the vegetation was so luxuriant, and the palms, the big trees festooned with Spanish moss and the ferns were so beautiful, that it was a constant delight to the girls.