"What is it, Alicia?" said her uncle, kindly. "If you know anything at all, tell us, won't you?"
"I don't, Uncle. I don't know ANYTHING about it!" and Alicia wept more than ever.
"Well, the thing to do is to find it," said Fenn gazing closely at
Alicia. "Where we find it will disclose who took it."
"I agree with you, Mr. Fenn," said a voice from the doorway, and there stood Dolly Fayre!
"Oh," cried Dotty, "I knew you wouldn't run away!"
"I did," returned Dolly, looking very sober. "I couldn't stand things here, and I was tempted to go home."
"Did you start out with that idea?" asked Dotty.
"No; never thought of such a thing when I went out. But I took a bus that turned around and went to the station, so that made me think of Berwick and I got homesick for mother, and I just couldn't help wanting to go to her. And I telephoned back here that I was going. Then, I had no sooner done that, than it seemed to me a cowardly thing to do, after all, and I changed my mind quick and came right back here. I rode up on top of a stage, and the trip in this lovely bright air made me feel a heap better. Now then, I want to say, once for all, that I didn't take that earring, but I'm going to find out who DID, and also I'm going to find the jewel. I don't know which I'll find first, but one means the other."
"Just what I said, Miss Fayre," exclaimed Fenn. "I'll join forces with you, and we'll see about this thing. We'll find the missing jewel and we'll find out who took it, but we'll have to put up a search."
"All my things are at your disposal," said Dolly; "look through all my cupboards and bureau drawers as you like. I'm not afraid."