He did not wait for a reply, but at once began a thorough inspection of the room. In the wardrobe closet were[Pg 11] some partly worn garments, two shirt waists, a blue woolen skirt, an Eton jacket, and a single pair of button boots on the floor.
Nick examined all of these very carefully, hoping to find some suggestive mark on one of them, or evidence of some significance, but the examination proved entirely futile. They were no different from the garments of a thousand and one other young women.
The drawer of the dressing stand was empty, while the china trays on top contained only a few hairpins, a plated stickpin of no great value, and a few equally insignificant articles.
In one of the bureau drawers, however, Nick found a quantity of underwear, including two pairs of stockings, of all of which he at first made only a cursory examination. He soon noticed one curious fact, however, and remarked to Patsy:
“By Jove, this is strange!”
“What’s that, chief?” questioned Patsy, joining him at the bureau.
“All of this underwear is new,” Nick pointed out. “Not a piece of it has been worn.”
“You’re right, chief.” Patsy peered into the drawer. “That’s plain enough.”
“But why it was left here is not so plain,” said Nick. “A girl going away on a visit usually takes her best garments in preference to those she has worn.”
“That’s right, too, chief,” Patsy agreed. “But she may be well supplied.”