"I'd like to know how she's doing it," mused Louise.
"She said it might bring disgrace," replied Linda, thoughtfully.... "Funny she should be here—in Plattsburg.... Lou, do you suppose she could be 'Mr. Hofstatter'—or rather, Mr. Hofstatter's employer?"
"That's an idea, Linda!" cried Louise, her eyes flashing with excitement. "Only it seems too impossible. How could she have gotten word of your father's business?"
Linda was silent for a moment.
"Through me," she announced, finally. "Remember the day I showed my handkerchief to the girls, and explained all about where Daddy was getting them? Remember how interested she was—and even knew the name of the Convent?"
"That's right! I do! And she made some nasty remark about making money from nuns!"
"So she did. I was furious.... And the very next day Ralph told me she had gone to Canada in the Moth, in search of a job!"
"It's true! It's true!" exclaimed Louise, jumping up from the table. "No use to hunt Hofstatter now—he's only a pawn in her game—if we are correct in our guess. We must go right to the Convent!"
"Tonight?" asked Linda, doubtfully.
"No, of course not. Tomorrow. And it's clearing up, Linda. Oh, we're the luckiest girls in the world!"