The chances are Miss Von Taer would have turned the trick in any event, don't you think so ?" "No, you don't understand her.

She wouldn't have interfered if she hadn't been scared out," growled the other.

"She's sacrificed me to save herself, that's all." "You may be right about that," admitted Fogerty; and then he got up to answer the door-bell, which once more rang violently.
An automobile stood outside, and from it an excited party trooped into the hallway, disregarding the cutting wind and blinding snowflakes that assailed them as they passed in.

There was Arthur Weldon and Uncle John, Patricia and Beth; and all, as they saw the detective, cried with one voice: "Where's Louise ?" Fogerty had just managed to close the door against the wintry blast when the answer came from the stairway just above: "She is gone!" The voice was shrill and despairing, and looking up they saw Diana standing dramatically posed upon the landing, her hands clasped over her heart and a look of fear upon her face.

Over her shoulder the startled black eyes of old Cerise peered down upon the group below.
The newcomers were evidently bewildered by this reception.