“We will go up to Riva on the afternoon boat and investigate.” It was Mrs. Eustace who spoke. There was an undertone in her voice which suggested that she was prepared to do her duty by her brother’s son, however unpleasant that duty might be.
“American girls are so grasping,” said Nannie plaintively. “It’s scarcely safe for an unattached man to go out alone.”
Mr. Wilder leaned forward and reexamined the letter.
“By the way, Miss Nannie, how did Jerry learn that you were here? His letter, I see, was mailed in Riva at ten o’clock last night.”
Nannie examined the post mark.
“I hadn’t thought of that! How could he have found out—unless that beast of a head waiter telegraphed? What does it mean?”
Mr. Wilder spread out his hands and raised his shoulders. “You’ve got me!” A gleam of illumination suddenly flashed over his face; he turned to his daughter with what was meant to be a carelessly off-hand manner. “Er—Constance, while I think of it, you didn’t discharge Tony again yesterday, did you?”
Constance opened her eyes.
“Discharge Tony? Why should I do that? He isn’t working for me.”
“You weren’t rude to him?”