Did he also know that Constance was shielding her?
The more she thought of it, the more she shuddered at the tactless way in which the detective would perform the act of "charity" by discovering the lost girl--and pocketing the reward.
If her family only knew, how eagerly they might let her come back in her own way.

She looked up the address of Everett Gibbons while she was waiting, a half-formed plan taking definite shape in her mind.
What--she did must be done quickly.

Here at the tea room at least Florence, or rather Viola, was known.

Perhaps the best way, after all, was to let her be discovered here.

They could not deny that she had been working for them acceptably for some time.
Half an hour later, Mrs.Palmer, a bustling business woman, came in and the waitress pointed her out to Constance.
"Did you have a waitress here named Viola Cole ?" began Constance, watching keenly the effect of her inquiry.
"Yes," replied Mrs.Palmer in a tone of interest that reassured Constance that, if there were any connection between Drummond's presence and Mrs.Palmer, it was wholly on his seeking.