"Oh, no, Rudolph, I don't think so!" "Yes, she did. That Wise is trying to get at his discoveries in the theatrical fashion all detectives love to use, and that movie actress is part of his stock in trade. She fell in the lake, all right, I daresay, but the tale about the bogey man is fictitious, be sure of that." "But how did she get out of the house, and leave all the doors locked behind her?" "Perhaps, as the Professor suggested, Wise knows of the secret entrance, if there is one, and of course, Zizi does too. Or, that little monkey could have scrambled down from the second-story window, she's as agile as a cat! Anyway, Norma, she wasn't pitched in the lake by the same villain that did for Uncle Gif and Vernie." "Who could that have been?" "Who, indeed?" "Rudolph, tell me one thing,--please be frank; do you think any one we know--is,--is responsible for those deaths?" Braye turned a pained look at her. "Don't ask such questions, dear," he said. "I can't answer you,--I don't want to answer." "I am answered," said Norma, sadly. "I know you share the--the fear, I won't call it a suspicion,--that Eve and I do. And--Rudolph, Milly fears it, too. She won't say so, of course, but I know by the way she looks at Wynne, when she thinks no one notices. And she's so afraid Mr. Wise will look in that direction. Oh, Rudolph, must we let that detective go on,--no matter what he--exposes?" "Landon got him up here," said Braye, "no, the Professor really heard of him first, but Landon urged his coming." "Milly didn't. Could Wynne have been prompted by--by bravado?" "I don't know, dear. Please don't talk of it, Norma. It seems----" "I know, it seems disloyal to Wynne for us even to hint at such a thing. But if we could help him----" "How?" "Oh, I don't know. I suppose we oughtn't to condone,--and, too, Rudolph, if this should remain undiscovered, should be all hushed up, you know, and if nobody should really accuse--you know who--wouldn't _your_ life be in danger?" "Hush, Norma, I won't listen to such talk! Has Eve put you up to all this?" "She and I have talked it over, yes. She is so anxious for you." "For me?" "Yes; you know Eve--cares a great deal for you." "Hush, dear, you're not yourself to-day. And I don't wonder. The awful times we're going through are enough to upset your nerves. But never speak of Eve Carnforth and me in that tone! You know, Norma, I love you and you only. I want you for my own, my darling, and when we get away from these awful scenes, I shall woo and win you!" CHAPTER XVII Stebbins Owns Up "Now, Mr. Stebbins, you'd better speak out in meetin' and tell all you know. Tell your Auntie Zizi jes' how naughty you was, and how you managed it. C'mon, now,--'pit it all out!" Zizi sat on the edge of a chair in Elijah Stebbins' office, and leaned toward him, her eerie little face enticingly near his, and her smile such as would charm the birds off the trees.