"She benefited by her aunt's death and, by heaven, she is the only one living who did," he had declared. "And it stands one hundred to one that if she doesn't actually know who bumped her aunt off, she can make a mighty accurate guess." Mitchell's temper did not cool down on his arrival at "Rose Hill," but on the contrary gathered heat as he stood before the front door and rang the bell with increasing vigor as the minutes lengthened. The door was finally opened a tiny bit, and through the crack a pair of beady black eyes peered at him in the uncertain light. "Who's dar?" demanded Mandy, her trembling tones belying her belligerent attitude as she braced herself so as to shut the door in case the caller pushed against it. "Inspector Mitchell," the latter announced briefly. "Let me in, Mandy." Slowly the door was pulled open, but it was not until the old servant could distinguish Mitchell's features with the aid of the hall light that she stepped aside and allowed him to enter. "What yo' want?" she asked. "To see Miss Kitty Baird." "At this time o' night?" in scandalized surprise. "That's all right about the hour," with marked impatience. "Go tell her I am here." Mandy wavered--the power of the law as represented by a policeman, not to mention an inspector, loomed large in her vision. "Miss Kitty am out," she announced briefly. "At this hour?" Mitchell smiled skeptically. "Go call her, Mandy." "'Deed I'se tellin' yo' de truff," she protested. "She went out wif Mister Edward Rodgers early in de evenin', an' she ain't come back, 'cause I'se been awaitin' up fo' her." Mitchell stared at Mandy, then, putting out his hand, shut the front door. "Go to bed," he said, not unkindly. "I'll wait here and let Miss Baird in when she returns." But Mandy did not budge. "Yo' means well," she said, somewhat mollified. "But I cain't go to bed 'till Miss Kitty gets in. If yo' care to set awhile, come right in to de lib'ry." Mitchell stopped her as she turned to go down the hall. "Let me stay in the parlor," he said. "I can see Miss Baird and Mr. Rodgers when they drive up. I wish to speak to Mr. Rodgers as well as Miss Baird, and he may leave without entering the house." Mandy retraced her steps to a closed door. "De parlor's been kep' shut up so long I 'spects yo'll freeze," she said. "Dar ain't much heat comes in hyar from de furnace." "That's all right; I'll keep on my overcoat." Mitchell stepped briskly into the room. "Let me light the gas, Mandy," as the old servant fumbled with the gas fixture, stiffened from lack of use. "Run along, now." "Yes, sir," but Mandy lingered by the door. "I'll be up in Miss Kitty's bedroom--jes' fetch a yell ef yo' needs me, Mister Inspector."