CHAPTER XII.
THE BAITING OF PEGGY M'NUTT.
By this time the three nieces were so thoroughly impressed with the importance of the task they had undertaken that more ordinary things failed to interest them.

Louise longed to solve the mystery.

Beth wanted to punish the wrongdoers.

Patsy yearned to exonerate the friends whom she imagined unjustly accused.

Therefore the triple alliance for detective purposes was a strong one.
By mutual agreement they kept the matter secret from Uncle John, for they realized what a triumph it would be to surprise the old gentleman with proofs of their cleverness.