“An impossible woman!”
“With a still more impossible family,” impatiently. “Did you notice Joe’s manner to his mother when she called him into her box at the ball last night?”
“No; but did you see who was with him?”
“Did I,” with eloquent emphasis. “Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper apparently took stock of Kathryn Allen, to her disadvantage. She was not asked to enter their box.”
“The Calhoun-Coopers have social aspirations, don’t forget that....”
“They won’t let us forget it,” shrugging his shoulders, “but I rather like Representative J. Calhoun-Cooper.”
“I did, until last night”—the bitterness in her voice caught Barnard’s attention, but before he could question her, she rose and stepping over to the desk, picked up Janet’s unfinished letter to Tom Nichols and deliberately tore it into tiny pieces. “If you will excuse me, I’ll find out what is keeping Janet,” and gathering up Mrs. Fordyce’s letters and engagement book she made for the door, where she paused. “Have you any idea what steps Mrs. Calhoun-Cooper intends taking to recover her pearl necklace?”
“Telegraphed for Pinkerton’s men I believe; Madge, don’t go....” but she glided from the room before he could stop her, and with a muttered exclamation he reseated himself. A few minutes later the footman appeared in the doorway.
“Miss Langdon wishes me to tell you, sir, that Miss Janet is out motoring with her brother,” he announced.
Barnard, who had started up at the servant’s entrance, coolly resumed his seat. “I will wait until Miss Janet returns,” he said.