“Why, mother,” said Ralph, “you look very much distressed.”
“I am so, truly,” replied Mrs. Fairbanks. “Ralph, we have met with a great loss.”
“What do you mean, mother?”
“The house has been burglarized.”
“When?”
“Some time during the past three hours. I was 217 on a visit to a sick neighbor, and returned to discover the rear door open. I went inside, and all the papers in the cabinet and some money we had there were gone.”
“The papers?” exclaimed Ralph.
“Yes, every document concerning our claim against Gasper Farrington is missing.”
“But what of Earl Danvers?” inquired Ralph. “Was he away from home?”
“He was when I left, but he must have returned during my absence.”