Suddenly the outside door was flung open impatiently, and Mrs. Brock walked in and stood viewing the crowd.
CHAPTER XX
THE REWARD
For an instant nobody spoke or moved; then Mrs. Vincent got up and crossed the room to greet the unexpected visitor.
“Won’t you come in and sit down, Mrs. Brock?” she asked, pulling forward a rocking chair which Katharine had just vacated.
“Not going to stay, thank you,” was the crisp response. “Just came after my watch.”
“How the dickens did she know that it had been found?” whispered Anne to Frances, who was standing beside her on the opposite side of the room.
“Can’t imagine,” began Frances; then stopped short, as Jane, who had heard the question, looked back and formed the one word “Rhoda” with her lips.
“Well, where is it?” demanded the old lady, looking at Patricia as if she suspected her of having sold it for old gold.
“It’s at the police station in Millersville, Mrs. Brock,” replied Patricia.
“That’s fine!” commented the old lady sarcastically. “Whatever possessed you to let it out of your hands?”