She looked him straight in the eye. "I haven't the remotest idea," she said. He nodded his head gently. "Would you, on the other hand, object to telling me how long James has been driving for her ladyship?" This was a facer. Mrs. Sparflight's gaze wavered. "Her ladyship?" she murmured weakly. "Yes, madam,--unless my hearing was temporarily defective," he said. "I don't know what you mean." "Your companion was a young lady of--" "My good man," interrupted the lady sharply, "my companion last night was my own private secretary." "A Miss Emsdale, I believe," said he. She gulped. "Precisely." "Um!" he mused. "And you do not know whose car you went off in,--is that right?" "I have no hesitancy in stating, Mr. Chambers, that the car does not belong to me or to my secretary," she said, smiling. "I trust you will pardon a seemingly rude question, Mrs. Sparflight. Is it the custom in New York for people to take possession of private automobiles--" "It is the custom for New York chauffeurs to pick up an extra dollar or two when their employers are not looking," she interrupted, with a shrug of her shoulders. She was instantly ashamed of her mendacity. She looked over her shoulder to see if Mr. Thomas Trotter's sweetheart was anywhere within hearing, and was relieved to find that she was not. "And now, sir, if it is a fair question, may I inquire just what this chauffeur's double has been doing that Scotland Yard should be seeking him so assiduously?" "He has been giving us a deuce of a chase, madam," said Mr. Chambers, as if that were the gravest crime a British subject could possibly commit. "By the way, did you by any chance obtain a fair look at the man who drove you home last night?" "Yes. He seemed quite a good-looking fellow." "Will you glance at this photograph, Mrs. Sparflight, and tell me whether you detect a resemblance?" He took a small picture from his coat pocket and held it out to her. She looked at it closely, holding it at various angles and distances, and nodded her head in doubtful acquiescence. "I think I do, Mr. Chambers. I am not surprised that you should have been struck by the resemblance. This man was a soldier, I perceive." Mr. Chambers restored the photograph to his pocket. "The King's Own," he replied succinctly. "Perhaps your secretary may be able to throw a little more light on the matter, madam. May I have the privilege of interrogating her?" "Not today," said Mrs. Sparflight, who had anticipated the request. "She is very busy." "Of course I am in no position to insist," said he pleasantly. "I trust you will forgive my intrusion, madam. I am here only in the interests of justice, and I have no desire to cause you the slightest annoyance. Permit me to bid you good day, Mrs. Sparflight. Thank you for your kindness in receiving me. Tomorrow, if it is quite agreeable to you, I shall call to see Miss Emsdale." At that moment, the door opened and Miss Emsdale came into the little office.