"You have—have told the police?"
"The police, of course not! But I have advised with Judge Harvey, and he has a firm of private detectives on the case."
"And they have clues?"
"They have nothing, as you just heard Miss Gardner report."
"Cousin Caroline! With all these—these thugs and hold-up men we read about—and all the accidents—"
"Olivetta! Don't!" And then in a more composed voice: "I am hoping it is merely some boyish prank. But even that will be bad enough, if he misses the boat."
"Yes, I see. You told me about arranging with Mrs. Quintard also to sail on the Plutonia."
"I had counted on the trip—Jack and Ethel being thrown together, you know."
"Indeed, it was very clever of you!"
"I am hoping it may be only some boyish prank," Mrs. De Peyster repeated. "You may not have noticed it, Olivetta," she continued, permitting a sigh to escape her, "but of late Jack has acted at times—well, rather queerly."