asked.
'The room you girls are in. Mother Bartee once told me. All three of them, I beheve.'
'Three? That's right, there was a baby.'
'Yes.'
'Kate said she felt sorry for the baby.' ('Her mama killed, her papa sent up, and not true, either.' Dorothy remembered what Kate had said.)
'I'm sure,' said Blanche, 'that was very kind of Kate.'
'What became of the baby?'
'We don't know.'
''Don't knowr
'The aunt took her.'
'Aunt?'
'His sister. What was her name? She was a little tiger. Dad says. I never saw her. I was away at boardingschool by the time she came back and raised all the fuss. They say she fought and fought. Oh yes, she took the baby. Can't think of her name. I know it began with an E.'
if:.' I
1.
Dorothy's hand squeaked on the mahogany post. 'What was the baby's name?'' she asked.
Blanche concentrated. 'Mary.'
Dorothy relaxed. 'Why didn't the baby stay here?'
'Well, I believe Mother Bartee thought in terms of bad blood. Father a criminal, you know? Then, of course, the aunt was so determined. She was going to take the baby away and keep the whole thing from her.'
'What do you mean?'
'The child wasn't ever to know what really happened to her parents. That's why we don't know where she is or anything about her.'
'I see,' said Dorothy. She felt another wave of nervousness. 'Look, you must want to rest a while . . .'
'The truth is,' said Blanche smiUng, 'I had better wash some stockings. Thanks for all your help, Dorothy.'
Dorothy hurried downstairs. Her breathing was upset. She tried Johnny's number again. Still no answer.
The house was very quiet. Ready. Waiting for a wedding.
Dorothy had forgotten Blanche, Bart, Dick, every Bartee. 'Emily—' she whispered to the empty hall.
She snatched the phone book to hunt for a number.
'Miss Callahan? Do you remember two girls who came with Johnny Sims?'
'You must be the blonde.' Kate recognized her voice.
'Yes. Please tell me. Do you remember Clinton Mc-Cauley's sister's name?'
'First name? Edith, I think it was.'
'Oh. Well, can you remember what she looked like?'
'That's kinda hard. She was shorter than me. Kinda thin. I can't see her face no more.'
'Then—tell me, how old was the baby?'
'About three. Clint was sure crazy about that baby.''
'After the trial, the aunt took her?'
'She sure did.'
'Do you know where?'
'No, dear, I don't. Nobody does. See, she was going to change their names . . .'
'Oh, she was?'
'And, you know, disappear? Give the little kid a chance, she said. Poor little thing. Of course,' Kate said, 'I guess Clint would know where she is. The baby's own father.'
Dorothy saw movement through the glass of the front doors. 'Thank you very much,' she said and hung up quickly. She moved away from the phone. She didn't know what to think-
Dick Bartee came in. 'Hi, beautifull Where's Nan?'
'Asleep.'
'Blanche?'
'Blanche is upstairs, too. Your grandmother is resting.''
'Kind of the Enchanted Castle,' he said, standing close. In the quiet of the big house, intuitions of many things
