“I am going to tell you a great secret,” said the girl. “Please do not speak of it to any one else. Some one in the house has been taking things—in earnest, I mean.”
“No? Is it possible?” he observed. “Then it wouldn’t have been nice for me if that ring—?” Honest indignation shone from his eyes. “I must say Miss Dolly did take a confounded liberty.”
“Under the circumstances, yes,” said the girl gravely.
“You say things are missing? Great Scott!”
“I did not say missing.” Quickly. “It is a case of substitution.”
“Pardon me if I fail to understand.”
She explained. “By jove! that is clever. I am honored by your confidence. I won’t betray it. Your aunt is naturally distressed?”
“Naturally—though she appears the same as usual. However, she is determined to put an end to these affairs. Society has been frightfully annoyed. It is not nice to ask some one down and then to have her lose—”
“I understand,” said the hammer-thrower gravely. “If your aunt can stop these unfortunate occurrences society will owe her a great debt. But tell me further, if I am not intruding too greatly on your confidences, does the finger of suspicion point anywhere?”
“Yes,” returned the girl.