“I have heard of you from Peggy, Mr. Tudor,” she said, “and I want to consult you as representing the government interests. Your report will probably be accepted, will it not?”
Mr. Tudor, relieved, bowed. “Yes, Mrs. Ives.”
“I want it understood that whatever in the way of restitution is to be done, I will do. I am sorry that I could do nothing for those poor foreigners that were hurried right away. Whether Mr. Ives is ever found or not, I should prefer to have everything made clear and to be free from obligation. So I have made out a list of our property, not including, of course, the small estate which is Peggy’s from her own father. My husband told me that the liquor in the cave was Bill Ritter’s, though I suppose that my husband was partly responsible for letting it be housed upon our property.
“I want to show you the safe and what I found in it, some bonds, cash and important papers. Now will you act for me?”
“I will be glad to do so, though I am not a lawyer.”
“You will be more a witness, I should think. I am dismissing most of the servants; indeed, some of them left because they were afraid of being arrested as aliens. Steeple Rocks will be for sale. I have not found any smuggled jewels, and I scarcely think that my husband ever was concerned in that.”
“The whole place was thoroughly searched, Mrs. Ives, before your return. After the steamer took charge of the aliens, the force searched yacht and house at once.”
Mrs. Ives sadly shook her head. “It is a tragedy to me, but if only the shadow does not rest on Peggy, I can bear it.”
“Nothing of all this attaches to you, Mrs. Ives, and I have seen to it that a very general account so far has been published by the papers. My friend and I so promptly sent in our reports that they are the ones given. I will send you some of the papers.”
“Thank you. It is a relief to know that all the details are not spread broadcast.”