New Britain herald., 1926-09-10
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER XXIV

CHAPTER XXIV
 Nothing of the sort!" said Bunny who had suddenly, and, it seemed miraculously, recovered not only her sang froid, but her usual attitude oi airy impertinence. l was crying be- cause of a bad dream l had. thought-oh, 1t was terrible dream T don't want to remember 1t! Now Mrs, Prentiss and Mir. Buck, you are kind and good-hearted, but I can't I just simply can't be more frank and confidential with you, because-well because l just can't! But I do feel grateful for your well meant offers of help, and I can see how you think I ought to tell you more-but you see, you are already prejudiced against me, and what I would tell you would doubtless make you more or less implicated in the death of my friend"
 If Bunny had made this speech with an humble or appealing air, it might have had a good effect, but, on the contrary, she was smiling of face and gay of demeanor. Her hearers couldn't know that the poor child was frightened almost to death, that she longed for help and advice, and that she hated to seem heartless and ungrateful, but Bunny had a perverse nature in some ways. Kindness always won her heart; sympathy always impelled her confidence; but these people showed a little too much cold curi- osity, a little to much suspicious in terest, to please Miss Bunny. And discerning these things, she turned from a sweet confiding child, to a wise canny and even tricky young woman.
 It wasn't quite fair of Bunny. but then, she felt that they hadn't been of the servants behind her back!
 In response to the shocked pro testation at her last speech, she said, in a conciliatory way:
 "Well, never mind. do want some advice, but I'm not quite ready lO Itll Ou eIii elbOul III ySCii' eiti1AiN I'll run over to the other house a few moments, and see for myself what Emma had to say, and also have a few words with Carter"
 May l go with you?" asked Tod dy, and though about to say no, his smile was so truly friendly and sin cere, Bunny changed her mind and said graviously, "Td be glad to have you, MT. Buck" Over to the Heath house they went, and found Larry Inman in the studio, surrounded by a deskful of letters and papers belonging to Perry Heath.
 Have you found anything of i'm portance?" Bunny asked. "No. not as bearing on the mys- tery of Myra's death or Perry's ab- sence," 1nman replied. Do you think Perry will ever come back?" Bunny asked. T did think so, as first. he re- turned, slowly. "Now-I don't 1 know"
 Bunny has heard from him. said Todhunter Buck.
 What" cried Inman, turning to look at the girl 1T have not" she declared, angri- i ly, but the foo of color that broke over her face gave her words the lie.
 You have" Inman said, T al- ways can tell when you're lying Bunny. What did he say? Did he write you?"
 No! I haven't heard from him at all. Mir. Buck is mistaken-or he Is joking. A very ill-timed jest!"
 T think he telephoned to her." Toddy spoke to nobody in particular merely looking into space, as he leaned his chin on the knob of his stick.
 "Did he, Bunny?" demanded In- man.
 NO" she said.
 "Then where does the joke come in?"
 "Oh, had a telephone message from someone else, and Mir Buck thinks it funny to assume it was from Perry. l wish I knew where he isl"
 "Yes, so do l." Inman agreed. q say, Bun, here comes that pest Mott! Do you want to scoot out the lback way?"
 Bunny looked frightened at first then seeing in Toddy's eyes tha, new light of friendly kindness, she concluded to stay with him. Though not of deep munitions Mott sensed that the mental atmos- phere was not in sympathy with him.
 You are the one I want to ques.