"Well, our business is a little unpleasant," went on the man, "and we would prefer to speak with you--before your brother. Yet, as he is not at home, I believe we had best call again. We really only need to make sure that you are not going out of town at once. We have heard that you intend going to the seashore, and as we are detectives, looking for the two Catron girls, we felt you might be able to give us some clue as to their whereabouts. However," and he turned to go down the steps, "we will come again to-morrow--if we may now make an appointment for an interview with you." Cora was much impressed with the man's manners. She moved to the edge of the steps. "Certainly, I shall be at home to-morrow," she said, "and I will have my brother here with me. I will answer any questions, but really I know absolutely nothing of the whereabouts of the girls." The men were on the steps. The light from the porch lamp cast a shadow, and Cora raised her hand to turn the switch that would light the lower steps. As she did so, something dropped from her blouse. The detective stooped to hand it to her. It was the empty jewel case! CHAPTER X ALMOST--BUT NOT QUITE "Certainly take it," said Cora, "if it is of any use to you. I found it--out near the strawberry patch." She was speaking to the surprised detective. He was examining the empty jewel case, and she had no idea of denying how she had come by it. From the description furnished to them the men were, of course, easily able to identify the tell-tale box. But in spite of their consideration, and good manners, the detectives felt that they had stumbled on a very important piece of evidence. Certainly, this was the box that Miss Schenk had described as that in which her earrings usually were placed. True, she could not specify just when she had last put them in this box, but that this was _the_ box was an important discovery. "I cannot believe that the girls took the gems," said Cora, as the men at last turned to go, "for they seemed really such innocent young girls. The only thing unusual about them, that I noticed, was that they had been overworked, and were consequently rather----" "Revengeful," finished one of the men. "That is the suspicious point--even good young girls may be driven to desperation. However, Miss Kimball, with your permission, we will call to-morrow at four," and they raised their hats, and went down the walk. Cora was stunned--that she should have placed into the very hands of the detectives so important a clue! "And I meant to hide that box safely in my room," she reflected. "That was why I kept it in my blouse,--so as not to forget it." The long window opened and Belle almost fell into Cora's arms. "Oh, have they gone at last?" she gasped. "What dreadful thing happened?" "Why, nothing happened," replied Cora, making up her mind instantly that the fewer persons who knew about the jewel box the better. "I thought them very polite officers."