Part 3 (1/2)

”Regarding the ident.i.ty of the sweater.”

”I tell you I recognized it. I know I knitted it. I certainly know my own work. And why should I be cross-questioned, please?”

”My name is Ruth Fielding,” Ruth explained. ”I happen to have at present a very deep interest in the Red Cross work-especially in our local chapter. Did you give your sweater to our local chapter?”

”Why-no. But what does that matter?” and the woman in black began to show anger. ”Do you doubt my word?”

”You offer no corroborative evidence, and you make a very serious charge,” Ruth said. ”Don't be angry. If what you say is true, it is a terrible thing. Of course, there may be people using the name of the Red Cross who are neither patriotic nor honest. Let us run each of these seemingly wicked things down-if it is possible. Let us get at the truth.”

”I have told you the truth, Miss Fielding. And I consider you insulting-most unladylike.”

”Mrs. Mantel,” said Ruth Fielding gravely, ”whether I speak and act as a lady should make little material difference in the long run. But whether a great organization, which is working for the amelioration of suffering on the battle front and in our training camps, is maligned, is of very great moment, indeed.

”In my presence no such statement as you have just made can go unchallenged. You must help me prove, or disprove it. We must find the girl and discover just how she came by the sweater. If it had been stolen and given to her she would be very likely to tell you just what you say she did. But that does not prove the truth of her statement.”

”Nor of mine, I suppose you would say!” cried Mrs. Mantel.

”Exactly. If you are fair-minded at all you will aid me in this investigation. For I purpose to take up every such calumny that I can and trace it to its source.”

”Oh, Ruth, don't take it so seriously!” Mrs. Curtis murmured, and most of the women looked their displeasure. But Helen clapped her hands softly, saying:

”Bully for you, Ruthie!”

Mercy's eyes glowed with satisfaction.

Ruth became silent for a moment, for the woman in black evidently intended to give her no satisfaction. Mrs. Mantel continued to state, however, for all to hear:

”I certainly know my own knitting, and my own yarn. I have knitted enough of the sweaters according to the Red Cross pattern to sink a s.h.i.+p! I would know one of my sweaters half a block away at least.”

Ruth had been watching the woman very keenly. Mrs. Mantel's hands were perfectly idle in her lap. They were very white and very well cared for.

Ruth's vision came gradually to a focus upon those idle hands.

Then suddenly she turned to Mercy and whispered a question. Mercy nodded, but looked curiously at the girl of the Red Mill. When the latter explained further Mercy Curtis' eyes began to snap. She nodded again and went out of the room.

When she returned with a loosely wrapped bundle in her hands she moved around to where the woman in black was sitting. The conversation had now become general, and all were trying their best to get away from the previous topic of tart discussion.

”Mrs. Mantel,” said Mercy very sweetly, ”you must know a lot about knitting sweaters, you've made so many. Would you help me?”

”Help you do what, child?” asked the woman in black, rather startled.

”I am going to begin one,” explained Mercy, ”and I do wish, Mrs. Mantel, that you would show me how. I'm dreadfully ignorant about the whole thing, you know.”

There was a sudden silence all over the room. Mrs. Mantel's ready tongue seemed stayed. The pallor of her face was apparent, as innocent-looking Mercy, with the yarn and needles held out to her, waited for an affirmative reply.

CHAPTER IV-”CAN A POILU LOVE A FAT GIRL?”

The shocked silence continued for no more than a minute. Mrs. Mantel was a quick-witted woman, if she was nothing else commendable. But every member of the Ladies' Aid Society knew what Mercy Curtis' question meant.

”My dear child,” said the woman in black, smiling her set smile but rising promptly, ”I shall have to do that for you another day. Really I haven't the time just now to help you start any knitting. But later--