Part 17 (1/2)
The detective touched nothing but examined the room and its contents with professional care.
”Let us call the chambermaid who made up the room,” he suggested.
The woman was easily found and when she appeared the detective asked:
”Did you fold this nightrobe, or did you find it already folded?”
”Why, it was lyin' careless-like over the foot of the bed,” said she, ”so I folded it up.”
”Why didn't you hang it in the closet?”
”The clerk had notified me the room would be vacated to-day. So I knew that when the young lady came back she'd want to pack it in her grip.”
”And at what time did you find the door ajar?”
”At six-ten, sir. I come on duty at six.”
”You did not see Miss Jones?”
”No, sir--if that were the lady's name.”
”You found no one prowling about the halls?”
”Didn't see a soul, sir.”
”Thank you; that's all.”
When she had gone the detective said to the Colonel in a rea.s.suring tone:
”I wouldn't worry, sir, although I'll admit this prolonged absence of Miss Jones is puzzling. But perhaps she has gone to call on an old friend and will presently return and apologize. I remember her mother-- a remarkable woman, sir--who used to live at the Voltaire. She had a lot of friends in Chicago, did Mrs. Antoinette Seaver Jones, so it's likely her daughter is looking some of them up.”
”I wish you would do all you can to locate her,” pleaded Colonel Hathaway. ”The young girl was placed in my care by her father and I feel personally responsible for her safety.”
”She's safe enough, sir. No sign of a struggle in her room; no report of an accident in the city. Went out of her own volition and will probably come back the same way, when she's ready. I'm going back to the office now, but I'll instruct our men to keep a good lookout for Miss Jones. If we hear anything, I'll let you know at once. In the meantime, if the girl happens to turn up, you must telephone me of the fact.”
He handed the Colonel his card and went away.
”This is dreadful, Gran'pa Jim!” exclaim Mary Louise. ”That man can't help us a bit. What do you think we ought to do?”
”Why, we've done all in our power, already, it seems to me,” he answered. ”The police will keep a good lookout for Alora.”
”I've no confidence in that detective.”
”Why not, my dear? He seemed quite courteous and gentlemanly.”
”But he isn't especially interested. He didn't probe far enough into the case. He never asked why the key to Alora's door was missing, yet the maid found the door ajar--half open,” said Mary Louise. ”Would she take the key and leave the door open?”
”Why--no; that _is_ strange, Mary Louise.”
”The detective didn't inquire at the office whether the night clerk had seen Alora pa.s.s through and go out. But _I_ inquired, Gran'pa, and the night clerk goes off duty at six o'clock, when the relief clerk comes on, but neither saw any girl at all leave the office. No one was in the hotel lobby, at that hour.”