Betty did very little packing. She felt that a few days would be the limit of her stay.
She came downstairs with a small bag just as the doorbell rang. Hodgson was not in sight, so Betty answered the door. Perkins was there with the car. He took the bag. Betty went to find Hodgson.
Something attracted her to the study. The door was closed. She decided that Hodgson must be in there. That would account for the fact that he had not answered the bell.
She opened the door and entered. Hodgson was standing by the desk. He started and turned away when the girl entered. He tried to hide something. The girl saw that it was a revolver.
“What are you doing, Hodgson?” Betty asked in surprise.
“Nothing, Miss Betty,” began the servant. Then he realized that the girl had seen the revolver. “I’m just preparing, ma’am, that’s all.
“I’m a little bit worried — about Mr. Bob. I thought it would be best if I had a revolver handy. That’s all.”
“Do be careful,” said Betty in a low voice. “I hope nothing happens while I am gone. You’ll look out, won’t you, Hodgson?”
After the girl had left, Hodgson stood staring grimly at the dark oak walls. He nodded as though talking to himself. He put the revolver in his pocket and went out of the study.
IT was late in the afternoon when Bob Galvin returned. He was accompanied by Hiram Mallory. Evidently Galvin had dropped in to see his uncle’s friend.