Part 18 (2/2)
Indeed, on reflection, she realized that several threads of evidence had not yet been followed to their source. Some points of mystification still remained to be cleared up. Her facts were mingled with theories, and she had been taught that theories are mighty uncertain things.
On leaving the dining room, Josie got on her hat and jacket, went out to the street and caught an Oak Avenue car.
”Oh, Josie!” cried a well-known voice, and there sat Mary Louise, on her way home from the Shop.
Josie gave her a haughty look, walked straight to the far end of the car and sat down in a vacant seat. The car was half filled with pa.s.sengers.
Mary Louise pushed forward and sat beside her friend. Josie stared straight ahead, stolidly.
”No one here knows you,” whispered Mary Louise, ”won't you speak to me, Josie?”
No reply.
”Where are you stopping? What are you doing? How are you getting along on the case?” pleaded Mary Louise, so softly that no one else could overhear.
Josie maintained silence. Her features were expressionless.
”I know you told me, in case we met, not to recognize you,” continued Mary Louise, ”but I'm so anxious for news, dear! Can't you come home, to-night, and have a good talk with me? You owe me that much consideration. Josie.”
The car stopped at a street intersection. Josie stood up.
”Not to-night,” she replied, and alighted from the car just as it started to move again.
”Bother Mary Louise!” she muttered, ”she has made me walk three whole blocks.”
Mary Louise was human and she was provoked. There was really no need for Josie O'Gorman to be so absurdly mysterious. Had she not known her so well, Mary Louise would have felt that Josie had deliberately insulted her. As it was, she blamed her friend for inexcusable affectation. ”I'm not sure,” she reflected, ”that a girl can be a detective--a regular detective--without spoiling her disposition or losing to some an extent her maidenly modesty. Of course, Josie has been brought up in an atmosphere of mystery and can't be blamed for her peculiarities, but---I'm glad _I'm_ not a detective's daughter.”
Josie, however, wasn't worrying over any resentment her friend might feel at the necessary snub. She was on a keen scent and already had forgotten her meeting with Mary Louise. Three blocks farther on she turned into the walk leading to an old but picturesque residence, at one time a ”show place” of Dorfield and the pride of the Dudley-Markhams, but now overshadowed by modern and more imposing mansions.
Josie rang the door-bell and presently the door was opened by a young and rather untidy maid.
”I'd like to see Professor Dyer,” said Josie.
”He's gone to Was.h.i.+ngton,” was the reply.
”Indeed! Are you quite sure?”
”Yes,” said the maid; and then Mrs. Dyer's head appeared in the opening and she gave Josie a curious if comprehensive examination. Then:
”If you're from one of the schools, I'm sorry to tell you that Professor Dyer went to Was.h.i.+ngton by the early train this morning. I don't know how soon he will be back. Professor Harrington of the High School is in charge. But perhaps it is something I can do?”
”No, thank you; I can wait,” said Josie, and went away.
”So,” she said to herself, as she made her way back to town in a street car, ”if Dyer has really gone to Was.h.i.+ngton, he hopes to get possession of the old desk and its hidden papers. Pretty important to him, those papers are, and I wouldn't blame him for chasing them up. But--has he really gone? Mrs. Dyer thinks so; but all evidence points to the fact that she's not in her husband's confidence. Now, if Dyer is on his way to Was.h.i.+ngton, what did last night's secret meeting mean? His absence will complicate matters, I fear. Anyhow, I must revise my conclusions a bit.”
CHAPTER XX ONE GIRL'S WITS
As she entered the hotel Josie encountered Joe Langley, the one-armed soldier back from the war. She had taken a great interest in this young fellow and admired his simple, manly nature, having had several interesting conversations with him at the Liberty Girls' Shop and at the drills. Josie felt she needed an ally at this juncture, and here was one who could be trusted.
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