There was little sleep for any one at the Chesters’ that night. The two young men were obliged to return to the naval station, but Mrs. Cranston promised to telephone her son the moment there was any news. Then Mrs. Chester insisted on their all going to bed. Nothing could be gained by sitting up, she said, and they were not likely to hear anything more before morning. “There is a telephone switch in my room,” she added, “and if a message should come during the night I will let you know at once.” Geraldine--who still clung passionately to Mrs. Cranston--begged not to be left alone, and Stephen’s mother readily promised to come and sleep with her. Molly and Kitty went quietly away to their room, and Jerry stumbled up-stairs to the third floor, devoutly hoping that no one would notice the tears, which, big boy though he was, refused to be kept back any longer. Mrs. Cranston was in her room, preparing for the night, when there was a tap at the door, and her sister came in. “I want to speak to you, Dulcie,” she said. “That Fairfax boy has been telling me a story, which has made me very uncomfortable. It seems he saw Gretel talking with a man--he is sure he was a German--in New London one afternoon. It was the day you came and Gretel and I went to the station to meet you. We both had shopping to do, and she left me to buy some wool. I had to wait a few minutes for her, and Jimmy Fairfax joined me. We were talking when Gretel came back. She apologized for keeping me waiting, but did not mention having met any one she knew. Young Fairfax says she seemed to be talking very earnestly with this man, and before he could speak to her they had turned down one of the side streets together. Now, Molly has told me that Gretel had no German friends. It seems rather strange, don’t you think so? Do you think we ought to mention this story? It might possibly throw some light on the child’s disappearance.” “I imagine the whole thing is mere nonsense,” declared Mrs. Cranston, decidedly. “Probably the man was not a German at all. Even if he were, nothing will ever make me believe that girl has done anything wrong or deceitful. I should as soon think of doubting Steve as doubting her.” Mrs. Chester looked very much relieved. “I am glad you feel that way,” she said. “I cannot doubt Gretel either, she is so honest and straightforward about everything, but I thought she might possibly have met some old German friend, and----”