"I came up direct from Police Headquarters," he explained diplomatically, "to learn any details you may be able to give us as to the disappearance of Miss Meredith."
"Oh, yes," replied Mrs. Greyton. "My husband said he was going to ask the police to look into the matter. It is most mysterious—most mysterious! We can't imagine where Dollie is, unless she has eloped. Do you know that idea keeps coming to me and won't go away?"
She spoke as if it were a naughty child.
"If you'll tell me something about Miss Meredith—who she is and all that?" Hatch suggested.
"Oh, yes, to be sure," exclaimed Mrs. Greyton. "Dollie is a distant cousin of my husband's sister's husband," she explained precisely. "She lives in Baltimore, but is visiting us. She has been here for several weeks. She's a dear, sweet girl, but I'm afraid—afraid she has eloped."
The aged voice quivered a little, and Hatch was more ashamed of himself than ever.
"Some time ago she met a man named Herbert—Richard Herbert, I think, and——"
"Dick Herbert?" the reporter exclaimed suddenly.
"Do you know the young gentleman?" inquired the old lady eagerly.
"Yes, it just happens that we were classmates in Harvard," said the reporter.