“Then why should you worry?” said Callie triumphantly. “Why, that means it’ll be all cleared up. Your father can do anything!”

“I used to think so, too. But he seems to be stuck, this time.”

“What’s the matter?”

“He went to New York almost a week ago with some clues that Joe and I were certain would clear up the affair, and so far we haven’t heard from him, only to know that the case was harder than he expected.”

“But he hasn’t given up, has he?”

“Well⁠—no⁠—”

“Then what are you worrying about, silly? If your father had given up the case there would be something to worry about. If he is still working on it there’s always hope.”

They walked on in silence for a while.