Part 11 (1/2)
The detective stooped to hand it to her.
It was the empty jewel case!
CHAPTER X
ALMOST--BUT NOT QUITE
”Certainly take it,” said Cora, ”if it is of any use to you. I found it--out near the strawberry patch.”
She was speaking to the surprised detective. He was examining the empty jewel case, and she had no idea of denying how she had come by it. From the description furnished to them the men were, of course, easily able to identify the tell-tale box.
But in spite of their consideration, and good manners, the detectives felt that they had stumbled on a very important piece of evidence.
Certainly, this was the box that Miss Schenk had described as that in which her earrings usually were placed. True, she could not specify just when she had last put them in this box, but that this was _the_ box was an important discovery.
”I cannot believe that the girls took the gems,” said Cora, as the men at last turned to go, ”for they seemed really such innocent young girls. The only thing unusual about them, that I noticed, was that they had been overworked, and were consequently rather----”
”Revengeful,” finished one of the men. ”That is the suspicious point--even good young girls may be driven to desperation. However, Miss Kimball, with your permission, we will call to-morrow at four,”
and they raised their hats, and went down the walk.
Cora was stunned--that she should have placed into the very hands of the detectives so important a clue!
”And I meant to hide that box safely in my room,” she reflected. ”That was why I kept it in my blouse,--so as not to forget it.”
The long window opened and Belle almost fell into Cora's arms.
”Oh, have they gone at last?” she gasped. ”What dreadful thing happened?”
”Why, nothing happened,” replied Cora, making up her mind instantly that the fewer persons who knew about the jewel box the better. ”I thought them very polite officers.”
”But when I saw you step to turn on the light I thought something happened--I saw you start.”
”Belle, my dear, you are too romantic,” said Cora, evasively. ”I am afraid I shall have to disappoint you this time, however, for my callers scarcely said a single word that was new. They are just looking for our runaways. And I do wonder where the poor, dear, lost, little things may be to-night!”
”Isn't it dreadful to think about it! I have read of such things, but to think that we really--know the girls.”
There was a catch in Belle's voice when she said ”know the girls.”
Plainly she had her doubts about the desirability of their acquaintance.
A whistle on the path told of Jack's return.
”Dear me,” exclaimed Cora, ”whoever would think it is almost ten o'clock!”
”And what can have become of papa and the others!” pondered Belle.
”They were to call for me----”
The familiar toot of the _Flyaway's_ horn interrupted her.
”There they are now,” declared Cora. ”My! what a full evening we have had. I feel almost too fl.u.s.trated to meet your Western friends,” and she smoothed out various discrepancies in her toilette.