"It is all so dreadful," she began, and an insuppressible sob threatened her speech. But she controlled it, and went on. "There is so much to be gone through with and I am so ignorant of--of law and--you know--of police doings." "I understand," I returned, "and anything that you can be spared, rest assured you shall be. But there is much ahead of you that will be hard for you--very hard, and perhaps I can help you get ready for it." "Will there be an inquest, and all that?" she whispered the word half fearfully. "Yes, there must be; though not for several days, probably. You know they can't find Miss Van Allen." "No. Where can she be? I don't suppose they will ever find her. Why should she kill my husband? Have you any theory, Mr. Calhoun? How well did you know this--this person?" "Only fairly well. By which I mean, I have met her some half a dozen times." "Always in her own house?" "Not always. I've attended studio parties where she was present--" "Oh, Bohemian affairs?" "Not exactly. Miss Van Allen is a delightful girl, bright and of merry spirits, but in no way fast or of questionable habits." "That's what they tell me; but pardon me, if I cannot believe a really nice, correct young woman would have a married man visiting her." "But remember, Mrs. Schuyler, Miss Van Allen did not invite Mr. Schuyler to her house. As near as we can make out, Mr. Steele brought him, without Miss Van Allen's permission. And under an assumed name." A blush of shame stained her face. "I realize," she said, "how that reflects against my husband. Must all this be made public, Mr. Calhoun?" "I fear it must. The law is inexorable in its demands for justice." "But if they can't find Miss Van Allen, how can they indict her? or whatever the term is. Why can't the whole affair be hushed up? Personally, I would far rather never find the girl--never have her punished, than to drag the Schuyler name through the horrors of a murder trial." "I quite understand your position, but it will not be possible to evade the legal proceedings. Of course, if Miss Van Allen is never found, the affair must remain a mystery. But she will be found. A lady like that can't drop out of existence." "No, of course not. Why, her bills must be paid, her household effects looked after; is she in a house or an apartment?" "A house. I understand she owns it." "Then she must communicate with her business people--lawyer, bank or creditors. Can't you trace her that way?" "We hope to. As you say, she must surely return to attend to such matters." "And her servants? What do they say?" I described the unusual menage that Vicky Van supported, and Mrs. Schuyler was interested. "How strange," she said. "She sounds to me like an adventuress!" "No, she isn't that. She has money enough." "Where does she get it?" "I don't know, I'm sure. But she is a quiet, self-reliant little person, and not at all of the adventuress type."