"I understood that Mrs.De Peyster locked the door before she went away." "Skeleton key," was Mr.Pyecroft's brief explanation.

"Mrs.De Peyster, we three will watch the door to see she doesn't get out--there may have been more than one of her.

You go and telephone for a locksmith and the police." "All right," said Mary.
"It's--it's all over!" breathed Mrs.De Peyster.
"Oh, oh! What shall we ever do ?" wailed Olivetta, collapsing into a chair.
"The police!--she mustn't go!" gasped Mrs.De Peyster.

"Open the door, Matilda, quick!" Then in a weak, quavering voice she called to her besiegers:-- "Wait!" After which she wilted away into the nearest chair--which chanced to be directly beneath the awesome, unbending, blue-blue-blooded Mrs.
De Peyster of the golden frame, whose proud composure it was beyond things mortal to disturb..