When the man returned and reported nothing
disturbed, Hedin left the store and proceeded directly to his room,
where he spent a sleepless night in trying to solve the mystery.
After breakfast the following morning Jean McNabb sat before the little
dressing table in her room when the doorbell rang, and the maid
announced Mr. Hedin.
"Tell Mr. Hedin I can't see anyone this morning," she said, without
looking up.
Again the maid tapped at the door, and entering, handed the girl a
hastily scribbled leaf torn from a notebook. Jean read it at a glance,
and her face flushed with swift anger. No salutation, only a few
scrawled words: "Must see you at once. Purely matter of business--very
important--about the coat."
Crossing to her desk the girl scribbled upon the reverse side of the
paper. "Never talk business on Sunday. Coat will be at store as per
agreement."
IX
On Monday morning old John McNabb entered his private office to find
Hedin awaiting him. He glanced at the younger man inquiringly--"What
ails ye, lad? Ye look like ye hadn't slept for a week."
"I haven't slept for two nights," answered Hedin. "There is no use
beating around the bush. As a matter of fact, the Russian sable coat
is missing, and I am to blame for it."
The old man stared incredulously. "Missin'!" he exclaimed. "An'
you're to blame! What d'ye mean?"
Hastily, in as few words as possible, Hedin recited the facts as he
knew them, while an angry flush mounted to the old man's face.
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