“Didn’t she appear to be curious about the strange visitor?” “Not one bit till the lady went out and she saw her. Then she got somewhat excited.” “She saw the woman as the latter went out?” “Yes, sir. Miss Langdon was in the big office as Mr. Redway and the lady went through on their way to the elevator. Mr. Redway said to me as he passed, ‘I’ll be back soon, Jack,’ and accompanied the lady downstairs.” “I don’t believe either of them saw Miss Langdon, who was sitting in the corner, sort of behind the door.” “And you say the sight of the strange woman excited her?” “Very much. As soon as they were on the elevator she began asking questions about the woman, and seemed to be very much worked up, though up to that time she scarcely seemed to give the lady visitor a thought.” “Was Miss Langdon inclined to grow excited?” “No, sir. On the contrary, she was nearly always quiet and easy-going.” “What did she do till Mr. Redway returned?” “Walked around in that office there nervously, and seemed as if she couldn’t wait till he got back.” “Well, when he came back--what then?” “He went right back to the office, and left the door open behind him. Miss Langdon shut it herself.” “Ah! that is interesting. Go on.” “I didn’t hear much that was said, though I might had I cared to listen, for Miss Langdon’s voice was raised to a high pitch.” “Did you hear anything?” “Yes. I couldn’t help it. She almost shrieked the words.” “What words?” “Why, these: ‘If I was sure of it, her life wouldn’t be worth a penny.’” “Were they still quarreling when you were sent out with Mr. Redway’s watch?” “No, sir. At least, she seemed to have cooled off considerable.” “When you came in what was Mr. Redway doing?” “Washing his hands in that stationary basin over there,” said Jack, pointing to a lavatory behind a screen in one corner of the office. “What did he say?” “He seemed very much surprised and somewhat confused. I saw Miss Langdon lying on the desk that way, and, remembering the scene between them, I asked: “‘Why, Mr. Redway, what ails her?’ “He said: ‘Jack, she has met with an awful accident.’ “Then I went up, and as soon as I saw she was dead I ran as fast as I could downstairs and met Mr. Gay coming up.” “Did you ever see this pistol, Jack?” “Yes, sir, often.” “Where?” “In Mr. Redway’s desk over there.” “When did you see it last?” “Yesterday.” “Where?” “In Miss Langdon’s hands.” “What was she doing with it?” “Loading it.” “What for?” “She said Mr. Redway had loaned it to her to shoot a cat.” Nick’s mind instantly reverted to Redway’s evasive words about shooting cats. “But she didn’t use it, I guess?” ventured Nick. “I don’t know, but I reckon she tried it.” “Why?” “The pistol was not there last night after she went away.” “Are you sure?” “Quite sure. I went to the drawer for some blanks, and the pistol was gone, though the box of cartridges was still there.” “Did you see the pistol this evening?”