“That’s the point Doctor Varian makes. He says it doesn’t matter how large we make the offer, for it never will be claimed.”
“Then we’ll just assume that criminal, and go ahead with the reward plan,” said Granniss, cheerfully. “I’ll attend to it, and we won’t speculate on its result at present. It surely can’t do any harm. But, Mrs Varian, we must do more than that.”
“What, for instance?”
“Detectives. I think you should get the best one you can and get him up here at once.”
“Please do that, Mr Granniss. What do you do? Apply to a city agency?”
“Yes; or get a private detective. I know of one,—the best there is in the country, but we might not be able to get him.”
“Try, anyway. Offer any price,—any bonus. Only get him.”
“Very well,—I’ll try. I have to go down to New York soon, for there are many important matters to see to with Mr Varian’s lawyers. I’ll see about this detective then.”
Minna had replaced the servants who had left her with maids from the village. There were some who were glad to go to a house suddenly made famous by such an astounding mystery. Others declared the house was haunted, and wouldn’t go near it.
Among those who inclined to the haunted house idea was the new nurse. A Mrs Fletcher: she was of a psychic turn of mind, and while she didn’t exactly believe Betty was carried off by spooks, yet she thought the girl might have taken her own life, and perhaps her father’s, because of supernatural influences or directions.