There was a great telegraphing and telephoning by long distance. The Butler Brothers were very excited and angry, just as their niece had predicted they would be. Detectives were engaged and other ships warned to keep a sharp lookout, but nothing was heard of the pirate brigantine.
CHAPTER XIII.—WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS.
Never since she had been Principal of West Haven High School had Miss Gray been so upset as she was now. For the first time a scandal was connected with her beloved institution. Every day there was a new complaint.
“Miss Gray, I only left my ring on the washstand a minute, while I was washing my hands, and when I looked for it, it was gone,” said one girl.
“But who was in the washroom, Julia?” asked the Principal wearily. She was disgusted and angry with this troublesome situation.
“Oh, all the girls, Miss Gray, but nobody saw any one take it.”
Small purses containing lunch money were emptied of their contents and put back into jacket pockets. Some of the teachers lost money and Miss Gray herself was robbed of ten dollars, the wages of the old janitor, which she had placed under a paper weight on the desk, in her own private office.
The whole school had gone distracted, but the pilferer was too clever to be caught.
Twice Miss Gray had summoned Mary Price to her office, but, after looking gravely into the young girl’s serious eyes, she kissed her and sent her off on some improvised errand.
“I shall wait a few days,” the Principal said. “After all, there may be some mistake.”