“I don’t know what to do,” Iris murmured.
“There’s only one thing to do and that’s to send these girls packing,” Ronald told her firmly. “Let me handle this for you.”
“But we want those important papers back,” Azalea protested. “Tell us where they are.”
“How should I know?” Ronald demanded harshly. “These girls have probably hid them somewhere!”
“You know that isn’t true!” Doris snapped. “We’ve told you where you’ll find the papers, but apparently you’re afraid to look!”
Ronald scowled. He had been trying to induce the Misses Gates to send Doris and Kitty away before they thought of bringing up again the subject of the lost property. He realized that the girls had it in their power to place him in an extremely awkward position. He hoped to bluff his way through by appealing to the sympathies of the two ladies.
Cora and Henry paled as Doris reminded Azalea and Iris of the suitcase. The housekeeper trembled and clung to her husband for support.
“Just look at them,” Ronald declared. “They’re crushed at the accusation against their good names. Here they have served long and faithfully and now these girls try to brand them as thieves!”
“Oh, Ronald, we aren’t branding any one,” Iris said at the point of tears. “We only want to get at the truth.”
Doris and Kitty were at their wits’ end. In every manner possible they had tried to convince the Misses Gates of their innocence, but they realized that no matter how strong was the case against Ronald Trent, the ladies would give him the benefit of the doubt. Only positive proof would shake their faith in him, for in their minds they had built up a dream man. It was difficult for them to see Ronald in his true colors.