un, but who is
employing you on this case?"

"Nobody. I'm just on my own, but I can't sit still and see two clever
little kids done out of home and mother and maybe a fortune just
because nobody makes it his business to dig out the evidence. I'd like
to travel a little, anyhow, so I'm going on a trip to Atlanta and see
for myself who these Wallers are and what this Chester Hunt is doing
and if the father is really dead. Sooner or later somebody is going to
want to know and your Aunt Josie is going to have that information when
it is called for."

Captain Lonsdale smiled. "The real spirit of a detective, my child, is
to be interested in every mystery whether it is your business or not. I
give you all honor because of it. But tell me, who is to defray
expenses? One can't live on curiosity."

"Almost!" laughed Josie. "But this time Mary Louise is to help me out.
I am going to take a holiday, I tell you, and go on a trip for my
health, so why shouldn't I pay for my own jaunt?"

"No reason at all. I wish I had a few like you on the force. My men are
afraid to take a taxi when it is of paramount importance to get to a
spot in a hurry. Afraid somebody won't reimburse them."

"That's not their fault," declared Josie. "I fancy they have families
to support and maybe the city is slow to recognize their expense
accounts. I have nobody to support but myself and I would pay out my
whole income just for the satisfaction of getting ahead of some crook.
This Cousin Dink is the limit for selfishness and impertinence. You
haven't advised me yet."

"Tell me first what your plans are?"

"Well, first I'm going to find out all I can here in Dorfield about
this woman. I'm thinking of staying a few days in that greasy Todgers
to get on to her all I can from the standpoint of her fellow boarders."

"Good! Then what?"

"Then I'll go on to Atlanta and see what I can see."

"Will you be traveling for your health ostensibly?"

"No indeed! I'm going to get a job as saleslady for some kind of
household novelty, house-to-house canvass."

"Good. What next?"

"When I find out all I want to know I'll come back and tell you about
it."

"Fine!"

"Any other advice to offer?" asked Josie, trying to hide a sly little
smile. One of her quiet jokes was that Captain Lonsdale always labored
under the impression that he gave her advice. Of course, his habit was
to applaud her decision, but the kindly police officer really thought
Josie's plans