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Page 109
been welcomed and divested of her coat, that she was able to describe the entire incident, from first noticing the gift-wrapped candy box to Mrs. Bates's explanation, without faltering or choking up. Aside from a question or two, General Barthemeles did not interrupt. At first his expression was of puzzlement, but that gave way, as she told him her guess that someone was trying to frighten her enough to leave Mrs. Bates's service, to doubt shaded somewhat by anger.
"Should I go to the police?" Linda asked finally. "That's what has been troubling me from the beginning. It's all very well to guess I was the indirect targetand if so, I don't care. I don't scare easily and I can take care of myself now that I know what to expect. But if someone meant to harm Mrs. Batesthat's a horse of a different color. Shewell, she isn't very strong, I would guess. I couldn't accept that responsibility."
"Don't see how the police could help," the general said slowly. "Emmeline is stubborn as an army mule. If she says she will handle this herself, nothing will change her mind. And if she won't cooperate and won't tell Gertrude to cooperate, there's nothing the police can do."
Linda sighed with relief. She had been growing more and more reluctant to tell what might well be considered a fantastic and unsubstantiated story to the police. Her reluctance was so great that she had begun to doubt her own motives, so she was very glad to have General

 
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