The list was longer than Dr. Dudley had expected. When Polly could think of nothing more, he called up the lawyer by telephone, making an appointment to meet him. Shortly afterwards he put Polly in the auto, and they started for Mrs. Bean's.
On the way the little girl thought of her precious locket.
"We shall get it if we can," the Doctor told her. "Mrs. Bean appears to be honest about that. She believes the boy has it; but he professes innocence. I fancy she will keep him out of our way if possible."
They took the lawyer in at his office, and Polly finished her ride sitting on his knee.
When Mrs. Bean learned their errand, she turned, then white, and seemed greatly excited. At first she was inclined to resent their coming as an intrusion, declaring, "There ain't much belongin' to the kid anyhow." But, as earlier in the day, she quailed before Mr. Brewster's firm, quiet speech, and sullenly led the way to the various articles called for. Finally nothing remained unchecked on the list except the two trunks.
"I h'ain't got no trunks," the woman bristled. "You've seen my rooms an' all there is in 'em! Them trunks prob'ly was sold along with other things."
"Why, Aunt Jane," put in Polly, "they were here just before I was hurt. I remember, because—"
"Huh!" she cackled. "I was n't here then, an' I guess they wa'n't!"
"I mean where we lived then," corrected Polly.
"Wal, they ain't here nor there now," she insisted.