“Oh!” gasped Arden to herself. “Is he going to arrest me—detain me for questioning just because I have asked about the poster? If he does—what a terrible disgrace on top of what has already happened to me!”
But the chief was kindly sympathetic and soon had drawn from Arden all the story. She told him everything, about Sim’s failure, her late return, about being campused and having to hide in the packing case. At this last the chief could not restrain a smile.
“So that’s why I wanted to find this man and claim the reward,” finished Arden. “You see?”
“Oh, yes, I see,” admitted the chief, going back behind his massive desk. “And I’m sorry. I can’t help you any. We don’t know where this missing young fellow is any more than you do. But don’t forget I’ll always be here if you need me, and I’ll help you all I can.”
Arden murmured her thanks, promised to remember, and, bidding him good-bye, left the building. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Standing for a composing moment on the sidewalk in front of police headquarters, Arden looked up and down the quiet street.
“Oh, my heavens!” she suddenly exclaimed. “Here comes Toots Everett!”
And indeed it was. Toots, with her hair freshly finger-waved, was walking briskly in Arden’s direction.
Without waiting to greet her, Arden cut across the street and hurried back to the college.