[CHAPTER XXIII]
THE CUP DISAPPEARS
“Then you’ve got it in your hand,” said Gerald untroubledly and without turning.
“I haven’t! I tell you it isn’t here!”
“Not there!” Gerald turned and stared at the table and from the table to Dan’s hands and from thence to his face. “But—why, I put it there not two hours ago!”
“Are you sure?” Dan looked about the room. “Didn’t you tuck it away in a drawer somewhere?”
“No, I took it out of the bag and put it right here on the table.” Gerald placed his hand on the spot. “And then I went over there to the radiator and warmed my hands and feet and looked at it.”
“Well, it’s mighty funny,” grumbled Dan. “You’d better look in your bureau, Gerald.”
“But I tell you I left it there, Dan!” Nevertheless Gerald opened the drawers one after the other and peeked in. “It was there when I went out. I didn’t touch it after I took it out of the bag.”
“What did you do with the bag?” asked Dan, making an unsuccessful search among the cushions of the window seat.
“Tossed it on the table. Isn’t it there?”