CHAPTER XVII

A DOG’S DISCOVERY

Doris and Kitty did not spend a comfortable night. Since the ruby ring had been given into their keeping, they found themselves unable to sleep as soundly as before and the slightest noise caused them uneasiness.

Retiring early as was their custom since coming to Locked Gates, they dropped off almost at once, but some time after midnight they were suddenly awakened by a wild cry. To the frightened girls it sounded strangely like some one in distress.

“This house gets more creepy all the time,” Kitty whispered shakily. “That couldn’t have been the wind.”

“No,” Doris agreed, “it sounded like a human voice to me. I wish we weren’t alone in this wing.”

After that they lay awake for several hours, but the cry was not repeated. Finally they fell asleep again, and when they opened their eyes the morning sun was shining brightly in at the windows.

Somewhat ashamed of their fears, now that it was broad daylight, the girls did not mention the subject at the breakfast table. Azalea and Iris appeared more cheerful than on the previous day and Doris was glad to see that they were both wearing blue dresses, a sign that they had partially forgotten their disagreement.

Before breakfast had been finished, Ronald Trent put in his appearance. The girls were surprised at such an early call, but apparently Iris and Azalea knew what brought him, for they exchanged rather embarrassed glances. For once the man did not flatter and palaver with the ladies but turned his attention to Doris.

“Well, cousin,” he began in his blustering way, “I hear you’ve promised to come across with five hundred dollars.”

“I promised the Misses Gates that amount,” she returned, placing stress upon the name.

“Well, it all amounts to the same thing,” Ronald said easily. “Naturally, they’ll turn the money over to me, so I can attend to the—the attorney’s fees. It will save a lot of trouble if you will have the bank draft made out in my name. I’ll tell you just how to do it.”

“I have secured drafts before,” Doris informed him.

“Smart little business woman, eh? How soon will you be able to get to the bank?”

“I suppose I could go today,” Doris said quietly.

“Fine! Don’t forget to have the draft made out in my name.”

While they had been talking, Henry Sully had entered the dining room to ask the Misses Gates a question concerning the gardening work to be done that day, and now as Ronald turned around he gave the man a sly wink. Doris, who was by chance looking directly into the buffet mirror, saw the wink and immediately her suspicions were aroused.

“On second thought,” she remarked, eying Ronald closely, “I don’t believe I’ll be able to get to the bank today.”

The man wheeled and regarded her sharply.

“Why not?”

“Oh, I have some practising to do and I must study my French,” Doris returned.

“I’ll take you in my car.”

“Thanks, but I really won’t be able to make it today.”

There was a ring of finality to her voice, but Ronald did not give up. Instead, he changed his tactics.

“A delay may mean the loss of the entire inheritance, Doris,” he began in a soft, wheedling voice. “You don’t realize how lucky you are to get into the good graces of the Misses Gates.”

“They have been more than kind,” Doris murmured, feeling very uncomfortable.

“Listen, cousin, you stick with me in this deal and you’ll come out on top of the heap. Why, before you get through, you’ll be rich. You’ll sing in Grand Opera!”

“I’ll try to get to the bank some time this week,” she told him.

“But why not go today?”

“Really, Ronald, I don’t think you should urge her,” Iris interposed in her gentle voice. “I can’t quite see the need for such haste. Surely the lawyers will wait a few days for their money.”

“A lot you all know about business!” the man blurted out, and then caught himself and spoke more quietly. “I suppose we shall have to await the whim of this kid, but if we lose the entire fortune, don’t blame me.”

With that he strode out of the house, banging the door behind him. Henry, who had stood listening to the entire conversation, followed him without waiting for his orders.

“Ronald is so impetuous,” Iris said apologetically to the girls. “You mustn’t take him seriously. He really doesn’t mean anything the way it sounds.”

Doris and Kitty had their own idea as to that, but they permitted the matter to pass without stating their views. Breakfast finished, the Misses Gates went out into the garden and Kitty went to her room, taking Wags with her. Doris was left to practise her music, but for some time she sat idle at the piano.

“I wonder if I should have gone to the bank this morning?” she thought uncomfortably. “I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the fortune, and yet, try as I may, I simply can’t trust that man!”

The conversation which she had overheard between Ronald and Henry Sully on the first night of her arrival came back to her. She remembered that Ronald had called the other man “Hank” and that they had appeared to be on unusually friendly terms. Perhaps in her desire to aid the Misses Gates she was overlooking a number of important facts. Was it not an unwise step to lend her money without first consulting her uncle?

At length she began to practise, but she could not concentrate, and after three-quarters of an hour decided to give it up.

She started up the stairs to find Kitty, but before she had gone very far down the hall leading to the right wing, she met her chum and Wags coming toward her. She saw at a glance that the girl was greatly excited.

“What’s the matter?” she asked in surprise.

“Oh, Doris,” Kitty whispered tensely. “I was just on my way to find you! I think I’ve discovered the source of those strange sounds that have been disturbing us at night!”

“What?”

“Wags is really responsible, because he led the way. He ran off and I had to go after him. Quite by accident I stumbled upon this room.”

“What are you talking about, Kitty?”

“Come, I’ll show you. Follow me and don’t make any noise.”