"Chelda, what are you doing here?"
"I was going to see if our prisoner is safe," replied the young lady, smoothly. "I have just been telephoning to the police station."
"And pray, who told you to do that? This is my house. Go telephone back that the policemen are not to come until I send for them."
"Very well, aunt," she replied, submissively, "but can you stop them?"
"You are a meddlesome girl," said Miss Gastonguay, and she gave relief to her overwrought feelings by stamping her foot at her.
Chelda said nothing, but her expression was not a pleasant one as she gazed after the retreating figure. "You let that burglar go," she murmured, revengefully, "why did you do it? It is really quite puzzling,—and who is to be pitied? One should really look into so interesting a matter. There is such a lack of pity in the world."
CHAPTER XXII.
CRIMINAL RECORDS.
There was great excitement in Rossignol over news of the attempted burglary at French Cross, and coupled with it was a mild indignation at Miss Gastonguay for allowing the disabled burglar to escape.