The Return of Marian Devereux

"Sister Theresa has left, sir."

Bates had been into Annandale to mail some letters,
and I was staring out upon the park from the library
windows when he entered. Stoddard, having kept watch
the night before, was at home asleep, and Larry was off
somewhere in the house, treasure-hunting. I was feeling
decidedly discouraged over our failure to make any
progress with our investigations, and Bates' news did
not interest me.

"Well, what of it?" I demanded, without turning
round.

"Nothing, sir; but Miss Devereux has come back!"

"The devil!"

I turned and took a step toward the door.

"I said Miss Devereux," he repeated in dignified rebuke.
"She came up this morning, and the Sister left
at once for Chicago. Sister Theresa depends particularly
upon Miss Devereux,-so I've heard, sir. Miss
Devereux quite takes charge when the Sister goes away.
A few of the students are staying in school through the
holidays."

"You seem full of information," I remarked, taking
another step toward my hat and coat.

"And I've learned something else, sir."

"Well?"

"They all came together, sir."

"Who came; if you please, Bates?"

"Why, the people who've been traveling with Mr.
Pickering came back with him, and Miss Devereux came
with them from Cincinnati. That's what I learned in
the village. And Mr. Pickering is going to stay-"

"Pickering stay!"

"At his cottage on the lake for a while. The reason
is that he's worn out with his work, and wishes quiet.
The other people went back to New York in the car."