None of the boys heard anything about the exciting events which were taking place at the tea-house until John Hadley and Jack Wilkinson dropped in on Sunday evening about closing time. They were startled to find two policemen on the steps.
“What has happened?” cried Jack, jumping immediately to the conclusion that the place had been robbed.
At that moment Marjorie appeared at the door and called them in, preferring to make her explanation herself. In a few words she related the facts.
“But why didn’t you call on us?” asked John, in a hurt tone.
“Simply because we have been too busy,” she replied, smiling. “Every minute has been taken up with something or other. But I did mean to call you both tonight, when I got home.”
“And what are you planning to do about it?” asked Jack.
“The policemen are staying here all night tonight, and we are giving the thing the widest publicity possible. Every paper in the city is coming out with the story, and a picture of Anna; and we have offered a reward for her return.”
“I wish we could stay here!” muttered John. “We’d take more interest than those fat, sleepy policemen would!”
“Oh, I don’t think anything interesting will happen tonight,” said Marjorie. “Of course, one or two of the girls cling to the theory of the supernatural; and if that were the case, something would be likely to happen. But I don’t believe that.”
“But what could the motive be?” persisted John.