ly erased and Doris'
scribbled over it.

"It's my sketch," admitted Elinor in a low tone. "I missed it the next
day, but I thought Miss Pat had dropped it when she brought my things
home to me. My study was almost done, and I forgot all about it after
that."

There was a disconcerting silence, while Judith breathed hard and kept
her eyes glued on Miss Green.

Suddenly Patricia spoke. "It's a horrid mess, and I'm sorry that it
had to come out, but there's no use shirking, is there? If someone, no
matter who, stole your hat, you'd feel they should be brought to
justice. Isn't stealing an idea a lot worse? I don't really think you
ought to feel so badly, Elinor. If Doris Leighton could do such a
thing, and then be friends with you afterward, she isn't worth breaking
your heart over. I felt badly enough when Ju told me, but I've kept
getting madder and madder, as I've seen how she goes on acting her part
of kind friend to you."

Miss Green rose majestically and Griffin sprang up at the same time.

"I shall ask to be allowed to have the evidence," said the impressive
representative of justice. "There is no time to be lost. Come, Miss
Griffin, I shall need you and Miss Howes too."

At the door she turned, with expansive kindliness.

"Do not distress yourself, my dear Miss Kendall," she said,
benignantly. "There is no cause for apprehension. Absolute secrecy
and perfect amenity will prevail. You will be sent for later perhaps,
but nothing unpleasant will occur. Depend upon it, the Board will
welcome this revelation of the true state of affairs, and will do its
duty gently."

CHAPTER XIII

RESTITUTION

"Did you see Elinor?" whispered Judith to Patricia, as she edged her
way to her in the packed assembly room.

Patricia shook her head. "She's with Griffin and Bottle Green," she
answered under her breath. "What do you want her for?"

Judith's bow was on one eye and her hat under her arm, showing that she
had made great haste to join the growing crowd in the first antique
room. She looked even more agitated than Patricia had expected her to
be.

"What's the matter?" insisted Patricia, nudging her to compel her
attention, but Judith's gaze was wandering all about in search of
Elinor, and she answered absently. "There she is, up on the stand with
Griffin," she murmured in dismay. "I can never let her know. I wish I
could catch her eye; can't you signal her, Miss Pat? You're taller
than I