"I realize," she said, "how that reflects against my husband. Must all
this be made public, Mr. Calhoun?"

"I fear it must. The law is inexorable in its demands for justice."

"But if they can't find Miss Van Allen, how can they indict her? or
whatever the term is. Why can't the whole affair be hushed up?
Personally, I would far rather never find the girl--never have her
punished, than to drag the Schuyler name through the horrors of a
murder trial."

"I quite understand your position, but it will not be possible to
evade the legal proceedings. Of course, if Miss Van Allen is never
found, the affair must remain a mystery. But she will be found. A lady
like that can't drop out of existence."

"No, of course not. Why, her bills must be paid, her household effects
looked after; is she in a house or an apartment?"

"A house. I understand she owns it."

"Then she must communicate with her business people--lawyer, bank or
creditors. Can't you trace her that way?"

"We hope to. As you say, she must surely return to attend to such
matters."

"And her servants? What do they say?"

I described the unusual menage that Vicky Van supported, and Mrs.