Vicky Van

this minute! There's a repo

Winnie pounding my shoulder as

ted, trying to coll

aid a Bengal tiger, she could

member! Clear out, I'l

time and went downst

an expression that she might have shown i

ry poured forth by the said reporter, who

The Meteor. He's telling us all

e from any one but myself. However, there was no help for it now, and I joined the group a

, make the best of it, an

h, "but the most regrettable circumstance, to m

poor Mrs. Schuyler, and those old la

ery day, and while one feels a general sympathy, it can't be personal if

And I've no doubt I should have gotten into it anyway. Mr. Bradbury wi

t you were there socially-w

more horror of it all, if I ha

le. "If I can be of any help to the Schuyler people or

e-the murderer!" and Aunt

"You don't know it at all, and ther

word with a canny understanding of what

ions tend, Mr. Calhou

ea of crime with her happy, gentle nature. Nor can I see any reason to suspect the waiter who first tol

the caterer's people, and they were in charge of the basement rooms and the dining-room all the

vent theories or to defend them. I will answer your necessary questions, but par

er a string of definite and

but my curt courtesy made it

sister, as soon as Bemi

t isn't it

of these things, and I want you to put it out of your mind. You can be of

ance of its developments. Now be a good sort, Auntie-accept the inevitable. Try to realize that I must do what seems t

But you are so mixed in it socially

Aunt Lu. It isn't a f

t see Winnie

is women people. Now, let up, Auntie. Trust your good-for-not

ke a baby," said Winnie, who was wheedlesomely assisting my breakfast arrangements. She sugared and creamed my cerea

answers to their rapid-fire volley of questi

day-or your chicken friends-Winnie, don't tell them a thing. Let 'em get it from the paper

m both, and

al pins and needles to get there ever since I woke to consciousness by

and when I went in, I was greet

e," called Mrs. Reev

Two or three policemen were about, in charge of things generall

ere?" I said, a

ouch, but I only dozed a few minutes at a time. I kept hearing strange sounds or imagining I did, and the police were back and forth

and her eyes very sad

urned against her. Since they found the man was Randolph Schuyler

ame them," I began,

y've no right to accu

wai

nger, though. I made coffee and got myself some breakfast-but, honest, Mr. Calhoun, it pret

ld! Didn't any rolls c

ning, but I shall telephone up here every litt

two. Do you think V

in her room last night, but I just couldn't. So I stayed in the music room,

hardly

thing is impossible! Think of it, Mr. Calhoun. Where could that girl

you kn

by some one in the house. I'm just sure she didn't go out by the front street door, for we in the living-room mus

the table, were the remnants of her scarce tasted breakfast. As she had said, the tiny sandwiches and rich salad, which she ha

is back of th

I confess I've looked about a bit. I'm not

she was thoroughly good-hearted, and a staunch friend

things ar

er,

meats and jars of jam and cans of tea and coffee and cocoa in the pantry, but no f

at imply? I'm no ho

orning-I mean as if she had expected to go awa

is is her m

is. You know sometimes Vicky d

she a ri

out. Where does she go? And wherev

hant air seemed to

an gads about a lot. I've telephoned her myself twice, and she wasn't

od on hand to be disposed of. A good housekeeper would look after that. Of course, it wouldn't be

an away and went to the place, wherever i

she has gone to some friend in town. She must have done so. A hotel wouldn't take her in-why

believ

nd, except as a casual friend. I mean, I know nothing of her family, her past, or her personality, excep

o d

. She is lovely and dear, but never confide

Julie must be with

ut how on earth could two women get out

r, they both got away last night. You don't

se not; after th

ay. Why, Miss Van Allen must come back or send back for he

're safe enough. They're a

ntrance of a policeman and a

to-day to clean. Now, we can't let her disturb things much, but she'd bette

oxy housekeeper, and I wondered what they would have do

cups and plates in the kitchen, for I gave those poor policemen some food 'long 'bout three o'clock this m

ing-woman some questions, bu

nd joined us, and s

t what you're told to do. And first, tell us a thing or two. How

t of a reg'lar day. Maybe wanst a week, ma

Mrs. Reeves. "Vicky often g

re to-day an' gone to-morrow, but Miss Jul

u when you are

n me husband's shop, an' if anny

tell you to com

me to come this marnin' to clane, as they do be havin' a

all was busy making notes of the information he was getting, and I could well understa

you worked for

av a year

rooms upstair

ed Miss Van Allen's own bedroom an' boodore. An' likewise th

ants does Miss V

re's a chore boy, as runs arrants; an' sometimes a sewin' woman; an' often the caterer man's dagoes. Yis, an' a boy, a Buttons you

does sh

mes she has. For she comes back, chipper an' merry an' glad to

tterfly's frivolous life. So, why should she keep permanent servants if she was at home only hal

her head in satisfaction. "Vicky meant to go off to-day, after the hou

Flaherty. "Shall I was

allowed to