“I found ’em,” she announced, “and what’s curious, maybe, I found two of ’em.”
“Why, how could you, Miss Buell, when only one package of manuscripts was missing.” The principal was puzzled indeed, for at that moment from beneath her copious gingham apron, Miss Snoopins did produce two bundles of compositions. These she laid on the desk, saying, as she pointed at one accusingly. “That was in the bottom of Kathryn Von Wellering’s trunk and it was plain she was trying to hide it, for she had a tray over it so at first glance it would look like that was the bottom and no use to look farther, but I was bent on finding evidence and——”
Mrs. Martin looked disappointed. “But these are old compositions, I judge, and not the ones for which we are searching. This other package is more like it. Where did you find that?”
“In Anne Petersen’s room and the queer thing about it was that it wasn’t hidden at all. It was lying right on the floor inside of her door. That one wasn’t hard to find. It didn’t——”
The principal interrupted. “Miss Buell,” she said, “will you kindly ask Miss King to again relieve Miss Torrence and you need not return.”
Mrs. Martin pretended not to notice the disappointment plainly portrayed in the other woman’s thin face. “Then that’s all you want me to do?” she lingered in the open door.
“Yes, thank you, Miss Buell. You have helped us immeasurably.”
Almost at once Miss Torrence entered the office and found Mrs. Martin examining the two packages which she had not untied.
“This is the one that I lost,” she identified unhesitatingly. Then glancing up questionably. “You say that it was found lying on the floor just inside of Anne Petersen’s room. That is curious! What do you make of it?”
“I haven’t decided as yet. But this much I am sure. Belle is not involved. I am glad of that.”