am the cause of it all.” Mrs. Willoughby began to sob into her handkerchief.
Mr. Drew glanced quickly at his daughter, and Nancy gave an emphatic nod of her head, as much as to say that she would like to probe more deeply into the case and wanted her father to help her.
“There, Mrs. Willoughby,” he said kindly, “don’t take on. I will do anything in my power to aid you.”
“You will? Oh, I’m so relieved!” The woman ceased crying and actually smiled. “I know everything will be all right now.”
“I am not certain that I can recover the jewels for you,” Mr. Drew pointed out; “so you mustn’t build up your hopes too soon. The case will be a very difficult one.”
Mrs. Willoughby’s face clouded again.
“I didn’t ask about your fee,” she stammered. “I am afraid I must tell you that I haven’t a great deal of money at present.”
“I assure you my fee will be very reasonable. And now perhaps you will answer a few questions concerning the robbery.”
“Anything!”
“Have you any theory as to what became of the handbag?”
“Oh, yes! I’m sure it was snatched by one of the inn guests at the time of that frightful automobile accident. When we checked up later, two of the guests were missing.”
“Are you certain they had not gone to help at the scene of the wreck?”
“Well, at the time of the crash, a number of persons ran out of the inn. After the victims had been rushed to the hospital, all came back except