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be done with the rest.”
    Dinner was announced, and though Norah ate little, she tried to take part in the conversation about clothes and the weather and whatever other common, everyday subjects Molly could think to introduce. nevertheless, the atmosphere was strained, and everyone was glad when it was over and they retired with coffee to the drawing room.
    â€œNow, Norah, dear,” said Molly briskly, “it is time to make some plans. Hilda and Patrick and I have been thinking about what is best to do, and we have some ideas.”
    Hilda looked at her blankly. She had, in fact, no ideas at all.
    Â â€œThe first thing is to get Sean home to you. That should be easy to do. I fear we can do nothing tonight, but you will be safe and comfortable here, and he will be safe in the jail, if not comfortable. Tomorrow Mr. Malloy will talk to his lawyer, and to the mayor if necessary, and will pay whatever bail is set. That will make everyone feel better.”
    â€œDo you—will it really be that easy?” asked Norah, unbelieving.
    â€œI think so, dear. Without offending your modesty, I think I can say it is perfectly plain to anyone that you need him with you now. And since we know he had nothing to do with the poor man’s death, there cannot be any evidence that he did. An upright judge will see that, and will grant him bail.”
    â€œBut—but the billfold—”
    â€œThe billfold may be regarded as evidence of theft, but no more.”
    Patrick, who had heard none of the details, looked baffled. Hilda sketched out the story for him (in the most optimistic terms, for Norah’s sake), but he was very sober when she had finished.
    â€œWe need to find out what the police are thinkin’,” he said.
    â€œYes,” said Hilda, nodding sharply. “And that is your job.You have friends in the police. I cannot go to talk to the police anymore. The police station is no place for a lady.” She looked down at her dark green wool gown with something like loathing. “I cannot talk to servants. I can do nothing !”
    She stopped at the hurt look on Patrick’s face. She had not meant to sound so vehement. She and Patrick had never talked about her new social status, or lack of it. And now, with outsiders present, was no time to talk of it, either. She tried to say with a beseeching look that she was sorry, she hadn’t meant to sound discontented, but Patrick wouldn’t look at her.
    Norah saved the situation. “You can think,” she said. “You’ve always said you had the best brains of any of us. Fair sick I got of yer braggin’ about it, but it’s maybe true. You’ve figured yer way out of a lot of pickles, and got others out of ’em, too. I reckon this is a big enough pickle to test them fine brains you claim you’ve got.”
    â€œBut I need to ask questions, and talk to people, and—oh!”
    Â â€œYe’ve thought of somethin’,” said Norah.
    â€œYes. Aunt Molly, the boys!”
    A smile spread across Molly’s face. “The boys. Yes.”
    â€œIf ye’d care to tell the rest of us what ye’re talkin’ about,” said Patrick plaintively.
    Hilda turned to him, her face alight. “Mrs. Elbel came here this afternoon to ask me to help do something for immigrant boys. I did not like her very much—I am sorry, Aunt Molly, but she was not polite—and I was going to say no, but now I will go to her and say yes. Boys get everywhere and know everything. They are like servants—if they are quiet, no one heeds them. Erik will help. The boys will find out things for me, and I will use my brain, and I will solve the problem!”
    Patrick looked at Molly. There were so many ifs in Hilda’s scheme…but when she believed she could do something, it really was rather remarkable how often the thing got done.
    Norah said as much. “I’ve never known how ye do it, but