“After all, it happens to be _our_ papers that are missing,” she told him tartly. “I think we shall have a look inside that suitcase!” Cora and Henry, now thoroughly frightened, began to back toward the door. “Where are you going?” Azalea asked sharply. “We are leaving,” Cora told her sullenly. “We won’t remain in this house to be insulted!” “You’ll not leave until we have examined your suitcase,” Azalea retorted, displaying more spirit than the girls had known she possessed. “You’ll not find any papers there!” Henry cried. “Not unless these girls framed us!” “That’s probably just what they did do!” Cora chimed in, catching at the straw. “I’ll bet they put them in our suitcase, so as to throw suspicion on us.” “We’ll soon know if the papers are there or not,” Azalea declared. Realizing that they could no longer bluff, Henry and Cora of one accord started for the door, hoping to escape. They were abruptly halted by a steel-like voice. “Stand where you are!” Doris and Kitty wheeled, to see Jake barring the door. And directly behind him stood Marshmallow and Dave! CHAPTER XXV VINDICATION Doris had never seen Jake look as he did at this moment, when he faced the group in the room. Ignoring Cora and Henry after his first command to them, he walked directly over to Ronald Trent. “Your game’s up, Joe Jeffery,” he said in a hard, metallic voice. “We’ve got you cold. I’ve been waiting a long time to get even!” Ronald stared at him a full instant and then, with a dazed expression, sank limply down into the nearest chair. “You win,” he muttered weakly. Doris ran quickly to Jake and caught him by the arm. “Who is this man?” she cried eagerly. “The police know him well enough,” Jake grunted. “There’s a reward of five thousand out for him!” “Five thousand!” Iris gasped. “But what has he done?” “Swindled folks out of their hard earned money. He’s been workin’ his little game for years!” “And to think he might have robbed us, if it hadn’t been for Doris!” Azalea murmured. “Oh, what silly fools we’ve been!” “You weren’t the first to be taken in by him, ma’am,” Jake responded. “He’s a slick one. Took me in once, but this is where we’ll square accounts.” He indicated Cora and Henry. “Who are these folks? Friends of his?” “Yes, they’re all in the plot,” Doris cried. Henry did not deny the charge this time. Instead, he made a sudden dash for the door. Marshmallow and Dave were too quick for him, however, and caught him roughly by the arms. “Oh, no, you don’t,” Dave said grimly, forcing him back. “You’ll stay here until we’re through with you.” “What’s he been up to?” Jake demanded gruffly. “He took some valuable papers belonging to the Misses Gates,” Doris declared. “Kitty and I are sure he put them into his suitcase, intending to get away some time today before the loss was discovered.” “Let’s have a look at that suitcase, then,” Jake directed.