"I don't know; but I should like to try to find the thief for—this gentleman. I think I could succeed."
"How should you begin?" he asked, regarding her curiously.
"It would be impossible to tell, sir, until I had seen the premises, and knew the story in detail."
"But I can't spare you!" exclaimed Pyne, by no means well pleased.
"It will not require all my time, sir," cried Leonie, eagerly. "I could keep up with your work quite as well, except, perhaps, the private part of it; and I might get through in a few days."
Lynde's astonishment over the girl's request was infinitely greater than at Chandler's story. Still, he readily saw that she had some strong reason for making it and hesitated to deny her.
"Let her try, Pyne," exclaimed Chandler. "It can't make any difference, and if she has not succeeded in a few days she can return, and no harm done. Somehow she has inspired me with confidence. Surely, you will be willing to inconvenience yourself for a day or a week for an old friend of all these years' standing?"
The words were spoken in an aggrieved tone that always brought Pyne to terms.
"Of course, if you make a point of it, I can say nothing further," he answered, endeavoring to conceal his annoyance. "When will you want her to go?"
"At once. You will come as my guest, Miss Cuyler?"