Forbes mumbled behind his hand
kerchief. "What's been going on here?"
The girl, however, had some sense.
She quickly unknotted the handker
chief. Forbes gasped hungrily, like a
fish out of water, and worked his
tongue around his cheeks. Something
issued from his numb lips that sound
ed like "Thank you."
"What has happened?" demanded
the girl.
"A gentleman in a black mask. . . ."
"Janet, the safe! We have been
robbed! I told you it would happen!"
The girl and her father rushed over,
getting into each other's way.
"Never saw the ruby nor the mon
ey!" "But he has taken my Jewel box!"
The girl stood up, leaning against
the wall, her eyes shut. Forbes ex
pected her to crumple up and sink to
the floor, like one of Piffle's heroines.
"My Jewel box!" In a low murmur.
"I beg pardon," said Forbes; "but
I'd be extremely grateful If you'd take
off these things. What time is It?"
irrelevantly.
