By the time that the rest of the scouts arrived, Marjorie felt entirely confident that she had guessed at the solution. The policeman had gone and the girls began to straighten up the house and prepare the menu for the afternoon. But they had so much to talk about that their progress was hampered.
There were two prevailing opinions as to the explanation of the strange occurrence: the theory that Marjorie held in regard to an elopement—a theory which was shared by Ethel, Florence, and Alice; and the supernatural hypothesis, held by Lily, Daisy, and Marie Louise. Both the older women—Mrs. Munsen and Mrs. McCreedy—who arrived at the tea-house during the course of the morning, subscribed to the latter view.
Upon Marjorie’s urging, however, Mrs. McCreedy promised to call up one or two of the young people to request that they get in touch with the others and question them about the possibilities of an elopement. But when, an hour later, she reported that all the boys had been located, and that no one suspected such an intention on Anna’s part, the girl’s spirits visibly fell.
By noon everything at the tea-house appeared as usual, in readiness for the afternoon. With the publicity which the affair would undoubtedly bring them, Marjorie felt that it would be unwise to close the place. Even if Anna were ill or dead, it would not help her in any way for the girls to be idle.
When they returned after dinner they found the porch already crowded with patrons whose curiosity had brought them there. Marjorie smiled grimly as she thought of the financial assistance such a boom would produce at a time when they so sorely needed it. Late in the afternoon she was obliged to send out for additional food, and all of the girls stayed right through supper time to help.
As closing time drew near, Marjorie had a short conference with Ethel, and both girls agreed that it would be best to send again for the police. The same men came who had been there in the morning, and both girls were again impressed by their indifference.
“What would you advise us to do?” asked Marjorie of the superior officer.
“Do?” he repeated, woodenly. “There’s nothing to do, Miss!”
“But don’t you think we ought to take definite steps to find the missing girl?” she persisted.
“We’re doing all we can,” he replied, sullenly.