The slight mystery surrounding Vivian Ellis was deepened somewhat following dinner when she obtained her key at the desk and with a faint, semi-friendly smile in our direction led the way toward her room, her daughter and Harry Byers following in her wake.
“Mrs. Downes is stopping here, is she?” Rogers inquired casually of Mrs. Long, the tall, slender young wife of the manager, who was standing behind the desk.
“You mean Miss Ellis? Yes, she’s been here for several days. That’s her daughter with her. The daughter’s stopping down at the inn.”
“Beautiful girl,” said Rogers. “I understand that Mrs. Downes is a writer.”
“Oh, yes; under her pen name of Vivian Ellis,” Mrs. Long explained. Her smile was engaging, and her eyes sparkled with interest. “Miss Ellis wrote the story they’re going t
