"Is Mr. Jardell at home?" asked Dick, who was doing the telephoning.
"Mr. Jardell is away," was the answer.
"Is he at or near Carwell, New York state?"
"No, he is in Paris, and has been for two weeks."
"You are sure of this?"
"Yes."
"Who are you?"
"I am Mrs. Jardell. Who are you?"
"My name is Richard Rover. My uncle, Randolph Rover, has been swindled out of some traction company bonds by a man who said he was Mr. Jardell."
"Mercy me! You don't say so! Well, my husband had nothing to do with it, you may be sure. He went to London first and then to Paris, and in a day or two he is to start for Switzerland. His health is very poor and the doctor said he needed the trip."