Like a flash Tavia opened the lower sash and threw the key out into the darkness. She pointed to Dorothy and mouthed the words she was to say—and they were perfectly truthful:
“Say you don’t know where!” commanded Tavia, in this silent way.
“Miss Dale!” exclaimed the teacher again. “Do you know where the key is?”
“No.”
“Is that all you can say, Miss?”
“We have not got it—of that I am sure,” declared Dorothy.
Tavia had calmly gone back to her salad and peanut butter sandwiches. Her mouth was so full when Miss Olaine spoke to her again that she could hardly answer.
“Miss Octavia Travers! Who removed the key from this lock? You know who it was.”
“I’m—I’m——”
“What is the matter with you? Your mouth is full. You are eating, Miss. Where did you get the food? Who has been here and supplied you with more than I gave you at supper time?”