"Now, I'm going to see Win," Iris went on, pushing back from the table, "but first, let's talk over this detective matter." She led the way back to the sitting room, which had come to be the general rendezvous for discussions.
She looked around the room, thoughtfully. "If we have a detective," she said; "he'll ask first of all if anything has been touched. The place hasn't been much disturbed, has it?"
"Very little," agreed Lucille. "And we can be careful that nothing else is touched."
"And I'm going to pick up and put away anything that can be considered a clue." Iris took up the old pocket-book, as she spoke. "We've all looked on this as no account, because the contents are missing; perhaps the detective will be interested in the empty pocket-book."
"Then there's the New York paper," suggested Lucille.
Iris winced. "They think that implicates Win," she said, slowly, "but I don't! So I'm going to take that, too. The cigarette stub Mr. Hughes took away with him. But everybody smokes that brand. Now, what else?"
"The check-book," said Chapin, gravely. "Be careful, Iris. Everything does seem to point to Win, you know."
"It seems to, yes, but does it? You know yourself, Mr. Chapin, anybody might have a New York Sunday paper--oh, well, I'm going ahead, because I know Win is innocent, and these seeming clues may help to find the real villain."
"Good stuff, you are, Iris!" declared the lawyer, looking at her admiringly. "Go in and win!"
"Are you in love with him?" cried Lucille, who had not thought of such a thing.
"Yes," said Iris, simply. "Now, Mr. Chapin, are you going to help me?"
"Well, first of all, I've changed my mind about that pin. I don't think I'll leave it where it is. I did think it wise, but it seems to me that anyone searching thoroughly, desperately, would look in the chair cushions, and so, I think I'll ask you to put it in your safe, but--don't tell Mr. Hughes we've changed its hiding-place."
"Very well, Iris; the pin is certainly yours, and if you give it to me for safe-keeping, I'll do my best to protect it."
"And don't tell Mr. Hughes, for he's liable to want to see what it's made of. I'll give it to you now."
"Draw the shades first, don't fail to use every precaution. That's right; I'll switch on a light. Why do you have this table light on this long cord?"