A longer pause this time. Then, again, that sudden decision to speak. “No, sir. I wanted to get away from a house where such a terrible thing had happened.” “That’s a natural feeling, I’m sure. You were there, then, at the time of Mr. Tracy’s death?” “Oh, yes.” “Were you questioned by the Coroner about it?” “No, sir. I suppose he thought I didn’t know anything about it.” “And do you?” “Oh, yes, sir.” Keeley stared at her. I went limp and faint all over and the two women nearly fell off their chairs. But Kee was careful not to show his intense interest. “Well, Jennie,” he said, in as casual a tone as he could command, “what do you know?” “Do I have to tell you, sir?” She looked at him serenely, not at all frightened, and with no diminution of her respectful attitude. “Why,—er—yes, Jennie, I think you do.” “I mean, legally, you know. Am I bound to answer your questions? Are you a policeman?” “Why, yes, in a way,” Kee began, and then he said, quickly, “no, Jennie, I’m not a policeman, but if you don’t tell me, you’ll have to tell the police. Now, wouldn’t you rather tell me, nice and quietly, than to be interviewed by the police, who would scare you out of your wits?” “Oh, sir, they couldn’t scare me,” the girl returned, with a look of self-reliance that seemed to exhibit neither fear of God nor regard of man. I had never seen on the face of one so young such apparent certainty of an ability to hold her own. Clearly, Jennie was a find, and would doubtless prove a strong card, for, of course, Kee would get her story out of her. But he soon found that he could not do it himself. Unless convinced that she was forced to it by the law, Jennie had no intention of divulging her information. Recognizing this, Kee gave it up and sent her about her business. “She probably knows nothing,” was his comment. “If she did, Griscom or Hart would have caught on. I suppose she thought she saw something and her imagination exaggerated it.” “But she doesn’t seem to me imaginative, Kee,” Lora declared. “Not like Posy, you know, out to kick up a sensation. This girl is queer, very queer, but to me she rings true.” “We’ll hear her story before we decide,” Kee told her. “March will be over to-night, and he’ll have the law on her! Don’t let her go out this evening.” Lora agreed and then we went out to dinner. Serious conversation at table was strictly taboo, so we had only light chat and banter throughout the meal. But afterward, snugly settled in the lounge, Keeley said: