"Not at all! Victoria Van Allen is a well-bred lady if there ever was one."
"You are a staunch friend, Mr. Calhoun," and Mrs. Schuyler looked her surprise.
"I speak only as I feel; I can't say surely that Miss Van Allen did not commit this crime, for I know there is evidence against her. But I can't reconcile the deed with her character, as I know it, and I, for one, shall wait further developments before I condemn her. But, of course, Mrs. Schuyler, my personal feelings in the matter have no weight in law, and I stand ready to obey whatever orders you may give in connection with a search for the missing girl."
"I don't know exactly what I do want done, yet, Mr. Calhoun," and Ruth
Schuyler glanced deferringly toward the sisters.
"No, we don't." For once Sarah agreed with Ruth. "After the funeral, we can set our minds to the finding of the criminal. Of course, the police will do all they can, meantime, to trace her?"
"Of course. And such a plan is best. She may return—"
"To a house guarded by police?" asked Ruth.
"Possibly. If she is innocent, why not?"
"Innocent!" exclaimed Miss Rhoda with utmost scorn.
"Some of her friends think her so," I observed. "Mrs. Reeves, a lady who was at the party, stayed in the house all night, and is, I think, there still."