She stopped at a jewelry store and purchased a small, cheap watch, which she put into her handbag. Then she went back to the hotel.
Immediately upon her arrival at Stoddard House she called Mrs. Weinberger on the telephone; then, assured of her coöperation, she went to Mrs. Hilliard’s office.
“I have decided to spend the night at the Bellevue,” she said. “Mrs. Weinberger is going to be my chaperon.”
The manager looked doubtful. “But I promised your father I’d keep you right here with me,” she objected.
“I know, but this is important. I think I’m on the track of a discovery. And Mrs. Weinberger has promised to look after me.”
“Does she know that you suspect her daughter, Mary Louise?”
“No, because I don’t suspect her any longer. Or her new husband either. My clues point in another direction. This time I’m not going to say anything about them till I find out how they work out.”
“I suppose it will be all right, then,” agreed Mrs. Hilliard reluctantly.... “What are your immediate plans, dear?”
“I’m going to sleep now till six o’clock, because it’s possible I may be awake most of the night. I’ll have my dinner here with you then, or with the Walder girls, and after that I’m going to a show with Max. About nine-thirty I’ll get to the Bellevue—Mrs. Weinberger is going to wait up for me and go to my room with me.”
“I’m afraid something may happen to you!” protested the good woman.