"Unfortunately I have to leave tonight right after dinner," said Mr. Carlton, as Ralph drove him back to his sister's. "I guess we'll have to turn the whole thing over to the detectives."
"Well, we'll see what Greer and his men can do," replied the other. "One good thing, Mackay can't get away from us, crippled as he is. And the other fellow is such a poor pilot that he'll crash sooner or later."
"If he doesn't get out of the country first," muttered Mr. Carlton, dolefully.
"What does Linda think about the affair?" inquired Ralph, for he had not seen the girl since her aunt helped her to go to bed the preceding afternoon.
"I don't know. I haven't seen her. She was still asleep when I left this morning."
"I imagine she believes Mackay guilty. That's what knocked her over so yesterday."
"Well, she'll get over that," returned her father, briefly. And he invited Ralph to come into the house for luncheon.
The young man, however, had the good taste to decline. It would be a ticklish situation at best—and besides, Linda ought to have some time to be alone with her father, if he were leaving so soon.
"But tell Linda I'll be over after dinner," he added. "The bunch is planning a canoe party."