"I confess it has puzzled me," was the unaffected answer. "Although aunty is severe in her manner she is well educated, and she taught me nearly all I know, except music and singing, for which I took lessons from Signor Pecci ever since I was a tiny mite until about two years ago. Then, I believe, aunty lost a good deal of money, and it became necessary that I should earn something. Signor Pecci offered to get me a position in a theater, but she would not hear of it, nor would she allow me to enter a shop or a restaurant. Really, it was aunty who got me work with Messrs. Brown, Son & Brown." "In other words," said Steingall, "you were deliberately reared to fill a higher social station, and then, for no assignable reason, save a whim, compelled to sink to a much lower level?" "I do not know. I never disputed aunty's right to do what she thought best." "Well, well, it is odd. Do you ever entertain any visitors?" "None whatever. We have no acquaintances, and live very quietly." "Do you mean to say that your aunt never sees any one but yourself and casual callers, such as tradespeople?" "So far as I know, that is absolutely the case." "Very curious," commented Steingall. "Does your aunt go out much?" "She leaves the house occasionally after I have gone to bed at ten o'clock, but that is seldom, and I have no idea where she goes. Every week-day, you know, I am away from home between seven in the morning and half past six at night, excepting Saturday afternoons. If possible, I take a long walk before going to work." "Do you go straight home?" Winifred remembered Mr. Fowle's query, and smiled again. "Yes," she said. "Now last night, for instance, was your aunt at home when you reached the house?" "No; she was out. She did not come in until half past nine." "Did she go out again last night?" "I do not know. I was tired. I went to bed rather early." Steingall bent over his notes for the first time since Winifred appeared. His lips were pursed, and he seemed to be weighing certain facts gravely. "I think," he said at last, "that I need not detain you any longer, Miss Bartlett. By the way, I'll give you a note to your employers to say that you are in no way connected with the crime we have under investigation. It may, perhaps, save you needless annoyance." "Thank you, sir," said the girl. "But won't you tell me why you have asked me so many questions about my aunt and her ways?" Steingall looked at her thoughtfully before he answered: "In the first place, Miss Bartlett, tell me this. I assume Miss Craik is your mother's sister. When did your mother die?" Winifred blushed with almost childish discomfiture. "It may seem very stupid to say such a thing," she admitted, "but I have never known either a father or a mother. My aunt has always refused to discuss our family affairs in any way whatever. I fear her view is that I am somewhat lucky to be alive at all."