“My dear, I should be only too happy to believe you; in fact, I am more inclined to take people at their word than otherwise. That is why I believed Mr. Wallace and Mr. Hitchens; and I fully expected you two girls to confess when confronted with the accusation. But you did not; and then I regretted the very foolish outburst on my part, which now places me in the very delicate position that, since everyone knows how matters stand, I can’t seem to believe one side without making out the others as liars. I thought to shift the responsibly upon your shoulders by offering you the cars if you would take them under the circumstances. You refused, which is something in your favor, but my position remains unaltered. Yes, it may be that this is a way out, if you will consent to it. That is why I say it is worth considering.”
“I think it would be better for everyone concerned if we let the matter drop,” repeated Daisy.
“Don’t mind Daisy, Miss Vaughn,” said Marjorie, as she put her arm about the girl to lead her away. “It’s natural for her to feel this way. Consider the proposition as a special favor to me, and to Pansy Troop.”
“Well, I will think it over,” replied the hostess. “I’ll let you know tomorrow morning.”
Daisy and Marjorie took the reply as a dismissal, and left the ball room together. When they reached the door of their own room, Daisy questioned Marjorie once more for assurance of her belief in their innocence.
“You don’t believe that we did accept assistance, do you, Marj? Tell me again!”
“No, Daisy! A hundred times, no! In fact—I don’t even believe that you looked as if you did!”
“But then why would those two boys make such a report?”
“Because there’s a mystery that underlies all this! A mystery which I mean to solve, if I possibly can!”
“Could somebody be plotting against us?” asked Daisy, incredulously.