"Just as long as is necessary," was the girl's surprising reply.
"I am certain that Gayne will call on me the first thing to-morrow morning, and I should like you to remain near the telephone if you will."
"Certainly," replied Diana.
"Mr. Wrenn, I don't understand what you are asking of my daughter," said Mrs. Wilbur crisply.
"Ah,"—the lawyer bowed gravely. "Perhaps you have not been told of the surprising turn events have taken. It is a matter which requires secrecy until identities are established and evil-doers circumvented. Let me congratulate you, Mrs. Wilbur, on a remarkably fine and intelligent daughter. She is a credit to your bringing-up. Not many mothers can boast of having instilled such prudence."
The lady leaned back in her corner, not certain whether to accept this disarming, or to insist immediately upon her rights. She decided to compromise and wait until they reached the hotel.
"My daughter tells you she can wait in Boston as long as is necessary," she said at last, "and her mother will have to understand the necessity."
"Certainly, Mrs. Wilbur," responded the lawyer. "We have found ourselves in a totally unexpected situation. Mr. Herbert Loring destroyed his will and died before he could make another."
Mrs. Wilbur exclaimed. Mr. Loring was known to be wealthy and she was interested in fortunes. Her brain began working actively on the probabilities of the heirs.
"The next strange event is that your young daughter has probably found the heir."