“Just the family, and the detectives and Mr. Keefe,” Fulton answered. “Will you come home?”
“She will,” Fibsy answered for her. “She will get right into this car and go at once—in the name of the law!” he added sternly, as Rachel seemed undecided.
Fibsy often used this phrase, and, delivered in an awe-inspiring tone, it was usually effective.
Rachel did get into the car, and they returned to Sycamore Lodge in triumph.
“Good work, Fibs,” Stone nodded his approval. “Now, Rachel, sit right down here on the veranda, and tell us about that man you saw.”
The girl was clearly frightened and her voice trembled, but she tried to tell her story.
“There’s nothing to fear,” Curtis Keefe said, kindly. “Just tell slowly and simply the story of your seeing the man and then you may be excused.”
She gave him a grateful look, and seemed to take courage.
“Well, I was passing the veranda——”
“Coming from where and going where?” interrupted Stone, speaking gently.