“All right,” said Hebler, leaving the room.
“Don’t forget we want an early start for town,” Kingdon called after him. “I’ll go out and look over my car.”
Kurt followed him, but lingered on the veranda to light his pipe. While he stood there, Jo and Marta drove past at a smart pace. A few moments later Hebler came to him in great consternation.
“Walters, that ring I was speaking of is gone! I’ve made a thorough search for it.”
When he had assured Kurt that there could be no mistake as to having left it on his table before he started for Westcott’s, the foreman said earnestly:
“I am quite sure that I can secure your ring for you, Mr. Hebler. I should like to settle this matter quietly, though; so please say nothing about it to anyone until I have investigated.”
“Certainly,” agreed Hebler. “I’ll go on to town with Kingdon now, and you can be looking about for it.”
Kurt hastened upstairs and knocked at Pen’s door.
“Hebler has missed his ring—a very valuable diamond, he tells me,” he said abruptly, as she came out.
“Oh!” she gasped, turning pale and trembling slightly.