A DOG’S DISCOVERY
Doris and Kitty did not spend a comfortable night. Since the ruby ring
had been given into their keeping, they found themselves unable to sleep
as soundly as before and the slightest noise caused them uneasiness.
Retiring early as was their custom since coming to Locked Gates, they
dropped off almost at once, but some time after midnight they were
suddenly awakened by a wild cry. To the frightened girls it sounded
strangely like some one in distress.
“This house gets more creepy all the time,” Kitty whispered shakily.
“That couldn’t have been the wind.”
“No,” Doris agreed, “it sounded like a human voice to me. I wish we
weren’t alone in this wing.”
After that they lay awake for several hours, but the cry was not
repeated. Finally they fell asleep again, and when they opened their eyes
the morning sun was shining brightly in at the windows.
Somewhat ashamed of their fears, now that it was broad daylight, the
girls did not mention the subject at the breakfast table. Azalea and Iris
appeared more cheerful than on the previous day and Doris was glad to see
that they were both wearing blue dresses, a sign that they had partially
forgotten their disagreement.
Before breakfast had been finished, Ronald Trent put in his appearance.
The girls were surprised at such an early call, but apparently Iris and
Azalea knew what brought him, for they exchanged rather embarrassed
glances. For once the man did not flatter and palaver with the ladies but
turned his attention to Doris.
“Well, cousin,” he began in his blustering way, “I hear you’ve promised
to come across with five hundred dollars.”
“I promised the Misses Gates that amount,” she returned, placing stress
upon the name.
“Well, it all amounts to the same thing,” Ronald said easily. “Naturally,
they’ll turn the money over to me, so I can attend to the—the attorney’s
fees. It will save a lot of trouble if you will have the bank draft made
out in my name. I’ll tell you just how to do it.”
“I have secured drafts before,” Doris informed him.
“Smart little business woman, eh? How soon will you be able to get to the
bank?”
“I suppose I could go today,” Doris said quietly.
“Fine! Don’t forget to have the draft made out in my name.”
While they had been talking, Henry Sully had entered the dining room to
ask the Misses Gates a question concerning the gardening work to be done
that day, and now as Ronald turned around he gave the man a sly wink.
Doris, who was by chance looking directly into the buffet mirror, saw the
wink and immediately her suspicions were aroused.
“On second thought,” she remarked, eying Ronald closely, “I don’t believe
I’ll be able to get to the bank today.”
The man wheeled and regarded her sharply.
“Why not?”
“Oh, I have some practising to do and I must study my French,” Doris
returned.
“I’ll take you in my car.”
“Thanks, but I really won’t be able to make it today.”
There was a ring of finality to her voice, but Ronald did not give up.
Instead, he changed his tactics.
“A delay may mean the loss of the entire inheritance, Doris,” he began in
a soft, wheedling voice. “You don’t realize how lucky you are to get into
the good graces of the Misses Gates.”
“They have been more than kind,” Doris murmured, feeling very
uncomfortable.
“Listen, cousin, you stick with me in this deal and you’ll come out on
top of the heap. Why, before you get through, you’ll be rich. You’ll sing
in Grand Opera!”
“I’ll try to get to the bank some time this week,” she told him.
“But why not go today?”
“Really, Ronald, I don’t think you should urge her,” Iris interposed in
her gentle voice. “I can’t quite see the need for such haste. Surely the
lawyers will wait a few days for their money.”
“A lot you all know about business!” the man blurted out, and then caught
himself and spoke more quietly. “I suppose we shall have to await the
whim of this kid, but if we lose the entire fortune, don’t blame me.”
With that he strode out of the house, banging the door behind him. Henry,
who had stood listening to the entire conversation, followed him without
waiting for his orders.
“Ronald is so impetuous,” Iris said apologetically to the girls. “You
mustn’t take him seriously. He really doesn’t mean anything the way it
sounds.”
Doris and Kitty had their own idea as to that, but they permitted the
matter to pass without stating their views. Breakfast finished, the
Misses Gates went out into the garden and Kitty went to her room, taking
Wags with her. Doris was left to practise her music, but for some time
she sat idle at the piano.
“I wonder if I should have gone to the bank this morning?” she thought
uncomfortably. “I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the fortune,
and yet, try as I may, I simply can’t trust that man!”
The conversation which she had overheard between Ronald and Henry Sully
on the first night of her arrival came back to her. She remembered that
Ronald had called the other man “Hank” and that they had appeared to be
on unusually friendly terms. Perhaps in her desire to aid the Misses
Gates she was overlooking a number of important facts. Was it not an
unwise step to lend her money without first consulting her uncle?
At length she began to practise, but she could not concentrate, and after
three-quarters of an hour decided to give it up.
She started up the stairs to find Kitty, but before she had gone very far
down the hall leading to the right wing, she met her chum and Wags coming
toward her. She saw at a glance that the girl was greatly excited.
“What’s the matter?” she asked in surprise.
“Oh, Doris,” Kitty whispered tensely. “I was just on my way to find you!
I think I’ve discovered the source of those strange sounds that have been
disturbing us at night!”
“What?”
“Wags is really responsible, because he led the way. He ran off and I had
to go after him. Quite by accident I stumbled upon this room.”
“What are you talking about, Kitty?”
“Come, I’ll show you. Follow me and don’t make any noise.”