"Who said it?" cried Joy.
"A great friend of yours."
"No friend of mine would accuse Phil. The whole thing is ridiculous!"
"Why Edith Whalen said he was going to arrested within twenty-four hours!"
"Lots she knows about it! But if that detective had his way, he might be. I can't imagine anyone paying a man to be so stupid. We girls have told him again and again that Phil had nothing to do with it."
"Has Phil been asked up to the Manor since that happened?" asked Bob.
"No, I don't think so. He's been up several times but it has been with the detective or Chief Baldwin."
"Then you girls ought to ask him to go with you, just to show him and everybody else chat you don't believe a word of all this gossip! Phil wouldn't steal! I'd trust him with anything!"
But while Bob stormed and determined to clear his friend in some way, his efforts were not successful. He made it a point to have Phil with him wherever he went, but that did not clear the boy of suspicion.
The girls, as well as Bob, were anxious to do something for their friend, but as the fan had disappeared and there was no evidence left, they seemed to be getting nowhere. Bet and her chums were desperate.