CHAPTER IX
COMPLICATIONS
"Isn't it strange, Jack," almost whispered Cora to her brother, as,later that evening, the two sat on the veranda of their home, andtalked over the day's proceedings, "I cannot believe--they--took them.But it does look very----"
"Well, sis," began the young man, "we have had other experiences withthings that _looked_ strange, and you will remember that strange looksare not to be depended upon for absolute facts."
"Oh, I don't mean to say that those two poor, strange girls could beso dishonest," she hurried to say, "but the trouble is, that Mrs.Ramsy is angry with them for leaving her, and of course she will doall she can to make trouble for them. Then she even threatened me."
"She did, eh?" exclaimed Jack. "Well, she had better go slow. I don'tcall a person ignorant just because they happen to be illiterate, forI always find they know more than I do on some subject, but thiswoman--she is the--limit."
"You see," faltered Cora, hardly knowing just how to tell her brother,"the girls, it seems, had their mother's wedding ring, and she took itfrom them. To make up for that they took the crate of berries, thenfinding the earring-box in it----"
"I know exactly what you are afraid to surmise, sis," said Jack, "but,as I said before, it may all be wrong. I, of course, have never seenthe girls, and cannot confess to so lively an interest in them as youhave worked up, but I must say, I would like to see the old lady getwhat's coming to her."
The brother and sister sat in silence for a few moments, then a stepon the path attracted their attention.
"Here comes Belle," exclaimed Cora. "Whatever brought her out alone,so near to nightfall? She is usually so timid."
Belle was actually trembling, as she took a chair on the porch. "Ohdear!" she began, "I am all out of breath. I was just scared to deathcoming over."
"Why didn't you 'phone?" asked Jack, "and I would have gone over afteryou."
"Cora," went on Belle, ignoring Jack's remark, "I am afraid--there is astrange detective in--Chelton!"
"Well, what of that?" asked Cora, with a laugh. "Detectives are notreally dangerous; are they?"
"Now don't joke," begged the girl. "I came over to warn you!"
"To warn me!"
"Yes, I heard that they are looking for----"
"Detectives looking for Cora!" almost yelled Jack, leaping up from hischair, as if some hidden spring had thrown him to his feet. "This issome of that woman's work! Tell me quickly, Belle, all you haveheard--all you know."
"Bess and I were at the post-office when two strange men alighted froma runabout," went on Belle. "They came inside--and at the stamp windowasked where Cora Kimball lived. Then Bess became alarmed, declaredthat they were detectives, and she wanted to come straight over andtell you, but father drove up at that very moment, and Bess had to goin town with him. Then I was on my way over when Tillie, our maid, metme and told me that mother had company from the West, and I was tohurry back home. Oh dear me, I did think I would never get here! Suchcomplications!"
"Now, dear," said Cora soothingly, "don't you be the least bitalarmed. Of course, it is quite natural that Mrs. Ramsy should try tofind her nieces, and quite right, too, so there is no harm whatever inher directing any one to me, to make inquiries. She evidently thinks Iknow more about the girls than I do."
"But there is a note in the evening paper telling all about the wholething," declared Belle, "and it mentions that one hundred dollarsreward will be paid for the return of the diamond earrings."
"Which looks," said Jack, "as if they are more anxious about thestones than they are about the girls. Well, we will have to awaitdevelopments. I was going down to bowl to-night, but I guess I hadbetter hang around now."
"Why, don't be foolish, Jack. You may just as well go out as not. Evenif a strange man does come up, I am sure I will be able to talk tohim. I have--ahem!--met strange men before," declared Cora.
"All the same, I guess I'll stay. I want to take Belle home, at anyrate, and I am not particularly interested in the bowling gameto-night, though Ed wanted me to be on hand."
A shout from the road, however, reminded Jack that it was time tostart. The voice was at once recognized as that of Ed Foster, and Corabegged her brother to run along, and have no fears on her account.
"And father and Bess will stop for me later," declared Belle. "Theyhave been taking the Western folks out for a run. Bess has the car andpapa the carriage, so there is no danger but that I shall fit insomewhere."
It was, nevertheless, much against the better judgment of Jack Kimballthat he left his sister and Belle, and joined his companions bound forthe bowling alleys. He did not mention to either Ed or Walter hisfears for the comfort of Cora, should she be visited by the detective,but they both noticed that he was not quite his jolly self, and thathe seemed to take little interest in their conversation or the sportat the alleys.
It was now almost nine o'clock, and, as Belle and Cora sat on theporch, enjoying the moonlight, in spite of their disturbed state ofmind, they began to feel that the detective scare had been unfounded.
"I can't see why they would ask where you lived," said Belle, "if theydid not intend to call on you."
At that moment a runabout turned into the driveway. Startled, thegirls sprang from their seats and hurried forward to see who might becoming. Belle clutched Cora's arm.
"Oh, it is the detectives," she gasped. "I know their machine! Oh, whydid we let Jack go away?"
"Don't be nervous," commanded Cora. "If they really are detectivesthey will have reason to suspect us, if they find us frightened."Then, at a sudden thought, she added: "Belle, I believe you had betterrun indoors. You are nervous, and you might say something that wouldbe better unsaid. I am sorry that the maids are both out, and thatmother is not at home--it does seem as if we should have kept Jack."
There was no time for further comment, for as Cora opened the Frenchwindow to allow Belle to enter the house without being noticed, thetwo men were seen coming up the path.
Cora had been in unpleasant predicaments before, each time thecircumstance being a matter of protecting some friend, and this timeshe felt "keyed up" to almost any emergency. Also her past experiencehad taught her valuable lessons, so that she had no idea now of sayingone word that might in any way compromise the two helpless Catrongirls.
But even so wise a girl as Cora Kimball may be careless in somematter, that, in itself, may seem unimportant, but upon which may hangthe very thread of fate.
"Is this Miss Kimball?" asked the shorter of the two gentlemen whoapproached her.
"Yes," she replied with unconcern. She stepped directly under theelectric light that illumined the porch.
"We are sorry to disturb you, especially as it is rather late," saidthe other man with unmistakable politeness, "but being in town wethought to cover this end of our business without making a second tripto Chelton. Is your brother, or mother at home?"
"No," replied Cora, "but, if it is necessary, I can call for mybrother, over the telephone."
"Well, our business is a little unpleasant," went on the man, "and wewould prefer to speak with you--before your brother. Yet, as he is notat home, I believe we had best call again. We really only need to makesure that you are not going out of town at once. We have heard thatyou intend going to the seashore, and as we are detectives, lookingfor the two Catron girls, we felt you might be able to give us someclue as to their whereabouts. However," and he turned to go down thesteps, "we will come again to-morrow--if we may now make an appointmentfor an interview with you."
Cora was much impressed with the man's manners. She moved to the edgeof the steps.
"Certainly, I shall be at home to-morrow," she said, "and I will havemy brother here with me. I will answer any questions, but really Iknow absolutely nothing of the whereabouts of the girls."
The men were on the steps. The light from the porch lamp cast ashadow, and Cora raised her hand to turn the switch that would lightthe lower steps. As she did so, something dropped
from her blouse.
The detective stooped to hand it to her.
It was the empty jewel case!