Again Mrs. Sturgis interrupted, this time from excitement within herself. She seized Jane's arm by way of claiming that difficult young relative's attention.
"It has just occurred to me what--Jane Lauderdale, do you mean for one minute to tell me that you've found----"
The click of the girl's voice silenced further importunities. Mrs. Sturgis clasped her hands tightly from nervous suppression, her continued mutterings clipped by a knife-like look from Jane.
"I do think you ought to tell if by hook or crook you've found-- There now, don't flare up again! I don't wonder, poor dear, that you're upset. Just remember that I'm upset, too. And I can't help feeling a little hurt that you don't show more confidence in one who has done her best to keep you from missing the mother who-- But there, we won't speak of that now. What do you make of the case Mr. Po--Pape? What does your professional instinct tell you?"
In truth, Why Not Pape's "professional" instinct had not been very communicative. But the result of his unprofessional investigation--Jane's distress, climaxing in her suspicion of him--had brought him through a conclusive mental process. There had been a robbery and a peculiar one. Money, bonds and valuable jewelry had been passed by in the theft of an unnamed something vitally precious to a girl whom he had offered to befriend.
Already much valuable time had been lost through Mrs. Sturgis' incertitude, her summons of Jane and Jane's unwitting summons of himself. His impulsive participation was delaying the more expert search which should have been instigated at once. The thief might have escaped through his interposition of himself. He felt that he ought to make amends if the time for such had not already passed.
Through this mental summary, accomplished during the moment that followed the matron's demand, Pape managed the appearance of a man in deep study. At its conclusion----
"By inside you mean-- Please don't suspect any one within my household." Mrs. Sturgis' color rose with the advice.
"I have no right to suspect any one--not yet, madam. I am considering only known facts. Your safe has been robbed within the last few hours of the contents of this heirloom snuff-box. I assume, Miss Lauderdale, that you are ready to swear your treasure was inside the box when you entrusted it to your aunt?"