The short heavy man, named Meyers, was the most talkative of the three. He put forth a string of questions as to when and where Helen was last seen and what she was doing. Had anybody seen her go out of the house? Nobody had. Was there anything peculiar in her manner in the course of the day? Nothing peculiar. What kind of a girl was she? What were her most noticeable characteristics? Had she any pronounced likes and dislikes? Was she in the habit of doing things just to be contrary? Was she a girl of good judgment, or flighty and light-headed?
These questions brought out nothing of tangible advantage, and No. 1 rested apparently well satisfied with the keenness of his record thus far made. No. 2 now took up the inquiry. He was the squarely built angular fellow with deep-set eyes, quiet demeanor and few words. His first question was:
"Has Miss Nash any other friends living in Hollyhill?"
"No, I think not," Marion replied; "no particular friends."
"None that she ever corresponds with?" persisted the man with the deep-set eyes.
Marion started visibly. Sudden recollection of the letter received by Helen the day before came to her.
"She got a letter postmarked Hollyhill yesterday," the young hostess replied.
"Who was it from?"
"I don't know. I didn't know that she was corresponding with anybody in the town. But the address on the envelope looked as if it was written by a man."
"Do you suppose you could find that letter?"