“It is now generally believed that Gretel Schiller, the fifteen-year-old girl, whose mysterious disappearance on July fifth has caused such widespread interest and excitement, left her home voluntarily to join some German friend or friends. She is known to have been seen in earnest conversation with a man, supposed to have been a German, in New London, about ten days previous to her disappearance. The girl was at that time visiting in New London, and her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Chester, well known in this city, admit that she never mentioned this clandestine meeting, although Mrs. Chester was in the town at the same time, and they had only separated for a few minutes. This evidence is likely to throw an entirely new light upon the affair, and it is said that Miss Schiller’s own family are now inclined to believe that her disappearance was a voluntary act.”
Mr. Becker paused. Gretel was staring at the paper with wild, horrified eyes.
“It isn’t true,” she gasped. “I don’t believe it. Percy and Barbara would never think such a thing.”
“Read for yourself,” said Mr. Becker, pushing the paper towards her. But Gretel did not read. She only covered her face with her hands and burst into an agony of tears. They were the first she had shed in days.
“It can’t be true, oh, it can’t be true!” moaned the poor child. “They know I wouldn’t; everybody knows it.”
“You are a German,” said Mr. Becker, coldly. “People will believe anything against a German in these days. Is it true that you talked to a man in the street, and did not mention the fact to your friends?”
“It was only for a moment with Fritz Lippheim,” sobbed Gretel. “He was one of Father’s oldest friends and he was so good to me when I was a little girl.”
“Fritz Lippheim,” repeated Mr. Becker, in a startled tone. “You mean Lippheim the violinist?”
“Yes,” said Gretel. “He and his mother were great friends of ours, but I hadn’t seen him in years till that day in New London. He asked me not to mention having met him, and I didn’t like to refuse. It made me uncomfortable afterwards, but I never dreamed——”
Mr. Becker started to his feet, and began rapidly pacing the floor. It was evident that something had put him out very much.