"Everybody's saying it! And the detective seems to think he has the clue pretty well run down and expects to arrest Phil any time now." Edith asserted with venom in her voice.
"I don't believe a word of it!" snapped Joy.
Indignation was at its highest pitch when Joy told Bet and her chums what Edith had said.
"Now we've just got to do something!" exclaimed Shirley. "We must clear Phil and that's all there is about it!"
"All right, what will we do first?" Kit jumped to her feet, ready for action.
"Who would have any interest in the fan, besides your father?" Shirley questioned Bet.
"Another antique dealer might, but no one would know he had it," Bet's eyes were bright and intense with anxiety.
"What about Peter Gruff?" cried Kit. "I never trusted that old man! And he was interested in that picture of the fan."
"But he's interested in all old things, and you heard him say that it was a common type and had no particular value," said Shirley. "No, I don't believe old Peter would want it that badly."
"I'm not so sure. I wasn't impressed with Peter Gruff, as you know. I'm going to prowl around his shop and see what I can see," laughed Kit as she grabbed her hat and coat.