Kenneth was thoughtful, while the girls looked at him expectantly and Tom Gates with visible anxiety.
"My original idea was merely to find the missing girl in order to relieve the anxiety of her blind mother," said young Forbes. "To accomplish that I was willing to employ your services. But, as a matter of fact, I have never seen the girl Lucy Rogers, nor am I particularly interested in her."
"I am," declared Beth.
"And I!"
"And I!" repeated Patsy and Louise.
"I think," said Uncle John, who had been a quiet listener until now, "that Kenneth has assumed enough expense in this matter."
"Oh, Uncle!" The remonstrance was from all three of the girls.
"Therefore," continued Mr. Merrick, "I propose that I undertake any further expense that may be incurred, so as to divide the burden."
"That's better!" declared Patsy. "But I might have known Uncle John would do that."
"You have my authority to wire the physician, if necessary, or to go to any expense you deem advisable," continued Mr. Merrick, turning to the detective. "We seem to have undertaken to unravel an interesting mystery, and we'll see it through to the end."