“Why?”
“The reason she gives is that she firmly believes some member of her own family to be guilty and wants to avoid scandal. But I think there’s another—a deeper reason.”
“And what do you think that is, Mary Lou?”
“A desire to keep her possession of a ruby necklace a secret. She kept it hidden in the mattress of her bed and never mentioned it to anybody except one trusted nephew.”
Mr. Gay wrinkled his brows. “I guess you had better tell me the facts in order, dear.”
Mary Louise settled herself more comfortably in the hammock, and told her story, just as everything had happened. When she finally came to the description of the robbery the previous night, and of her own shameful treatment at the hands of the thief, her father cried out in resentment.
“Don’t tell Mother about my being bound up and put in the closet,” she begged. “It would worry her sick.”
“It worries me sick!” announced Mr. Gay. “And I don’t want you to spend another night at that dreadful place.... In fact, I forbid it!”
Mary Louise nodded: she had been expecting the command.
“Then may I bring Elsie Grant home with me while her aunt is in the hospital?” she asked.