“I never give thought to the newspapers,” was Mrs. De Peyster’s somewhat stiff response.

“You have—­have told the police?”

“The police, of course not!  But I have advised with Judge Harvey, and he has a firm of private detectives on the case.”

“And they have clues?”

“They have nothing, as you just heard Miss Gardner report.”

“Cousin Caroline!  With all these—­these thugs and hold-up men we read about—­and all the accidents—­”

“Olivetta!  Don’t!” And then in a more composed voice:  “I am hoping it is merely some boyish prank.  But even that will be bad enough, if he misses the boat.”

“Yes, I see.  You told me about arranging with Mrs. Quintard also to sail on the Plutonia.”

“I had counted on the trip—­Jack and Ethel being thrown together, you know.”

“Indeed, it was very clever of you!”

“I am hoping it may be only some boyish prank,” Mrs. De Peyster repeated.  “You may not have noticed it, Olivetta,” she continued, permitting a sigh to escape her, “but of late Jack has acted at times—­well, rather queerly.”

“Queerly!  How?”

“He has been far from being himself.  In fact, I have observed a number of things not at all natural to a De Peyster.”

“Caroline!  What a worry he must be to you!”

“Yes.  But I am hoping for the best.  And now, please, we will say no more about it.”

They were silent for a moment.  Miss Gardner entered, took the jewels which in the mean time Mrs. De Peyster had finished putting in their cases, and went again into the bedroom.  Olivetta’s eyes followed her.

“You are still pleased with Miss Gardner?”

“Thus far she has proved herself competent.  I consider myself very fortunate in finding a secretary who is not above some of the duties of a lady’s maid.  It is a very happy combination for traveling.”

“She seems almost too good to be true,” mused Olivetta.  “She’s really very pretty.  I hope Jack hasn’t—­”

“Olivetta!  How can you!  Jack has never paid her the slightest attention, nor she him.”

“Pardon me, Caroline!  But she’s so pretty, and she’s just the sort of girl who attracts men—­and—­and”—­a bit wistfully—­“gets engaged and gets married.”

“Nonsense, Olivetta.  When she first came to me I asked her if she were in love or engaged.  She said she was not, and I told her my rules.  She is a very sensible girl.”

“At any rate, she must be a great relief after that Marie you had.”

Mrs. De Peyster flushed, as though at some disagreeable memory.

“Have you learned yet whether Marie was actually a spy for Mrs. Allistair?” inquired Olivetta.

“She confessed that she was getting money besides the wages I paid her.  That is proof enough.”

“I believe it of Mrs. Allistair!  She wouldn’t stop at anything to win your place as social leader.  But she could never fill it!”