“The real thief must be caught,” she told herself, for perhaps the hundredth time, and went on with her cogitations.
The elimination of the students and the teachers narrowed the list of suspects to the servants at the Hall.
Clarice, the cook? Perhaps--though Billie was loath to suspect anyone who made such excellent chocolate cake. There were three maids and a scrubwoman who attended to the general cleaning of the dormitories and the study halls. Anyone of them might----
Billie swung her feet to the floor and stood up. For some time there had been the sound of voices beneath the window. The voices had steadily increased in volume until now they broke with rude force into her meditations.
A voice, raised above the rest, cried shrilly:
“Arrest her! That’s the thing to do! Maybe then she’ll tell what she did with our money!”
“Arrest her! Arrest her! She’s nothing but a thief!”
Billie lingered to hear no more, but, turning, fled from the dormitory. When she emerged into the grounds she found a large group of students gathered there. In the midst of them, badgered, desperate, stood Edina Tooker!
Billie set her lips grimly and thrust her way through the crowd.
The girls gave way reluctantly and pressed more closely about her as Billie took up her position beside the tormented girl.
“Get away, Billie!” one of them cried. “This isn’t your business any more!”
Her voice was drowned in a chorus of angry cries.
“Billie can’t stop us any more. Get out of the way, Billie!”
“We’ll have her arrested! Then maybe she’ll give us our money back!”
Billie was helpless. Although she flung an arm about Edina and tried by main force to push the girls away, they only surged the closer.
Hands reached out. They touched Edina, caught her! She was being dragged away!
Billie felt that she was in a nightmare where every sense was impotent. She spoke, but could not make her voice heard. She used her strength, and was powerless. They were dragging Edina away!
Suddenly a voice spoke sharply, authoritatively, from the school steps. Instantly the crowd about Billie and Edina gave back. The girls lapsed into sullen silence.
“I am amazed! I am shocked!” said Miss Sara Walters in cool, clipped tones. “Never before has it been my doubtful privilege to witness such a demonstration from these school steps. I trust that it will never be necessary for me to witness such a disgraceful exhibition again. Go to your dormitories and remain there until the supper bell rings!”