"Did you see anybody except Miss Heredith in the hall or on the staircase of the left wing while you were standing at the end of the passage?" "Nobody except Miss Rath." "Do you mean the housekeeper's daughter?" "Yes." "When did you see her?" "As I was standing there waiting for a chance to clear away the dinner things, she come up from the centre passage leading from the housekeeper's rooms, and turned into the hall." "Where was she going?" "I don't know. I didn't ask her," replied the girl, who had regained something of her pert assurance. "Did she see you?" "No. I was standing at the end of the kitchen passage, which is close to the right wing. The passage she come out of was quite a long way from where I was standing, almost in the centre of the house. She turned the other way." "She turned to the right, then, as she emerged from the passage, and walked in the direction of the left wing?" "I don't know where she was going to. All I know is that I saw her turn out of the passage, and walk, as if might be, up the hall in that direction." "Did you notice her actions?" "I can't say as I did particular, except that she was walking in the shadow, on the side nearest to the passage she come out of, and seemed to be looking at the dining-room door." "You are sure it was Hazel Rath?" "Oh, it was her all right," replied Milly confidently. "I recognized her, as well as the dress she was wearing." "Was this before or after you saw Miss Heredith leave the dining-room?" "About ten minutes afterwards." "Did you mention to anybody that you saw her?" "I did not," replied the girl, as if the matter were one of supreme indifference to her. "Why not?" "I suppose Miss Rath is free to go where she pleases," said the girl airily. "She's privileged. When she used to live here she had the run of the house, just like one of the family. Tain't my business to question her comings and goings." "Oh, Miss Rath used to live here, did she? How long ago?" "Till about two years ago, before she went to business." "And how long did she live here?" "It must have been a good seven years or more," said Milly, considering. "She come here as a little girl when her mother come as housekeeper. Miss Heredith took a great fancy to her, and she was made quite a pet of the house, and did just what she liked. When she grew up she used to help her mother, and do little things about the house. But she never gave herself airs--I will say that." "Very well. You may go now." "Caldew," said Merrington quickly as the door closed behind the girl, "go and find the housekeeper and send her in here. And then keep an eye on her daughter, and do not let her out of your sight, until I send for you. Then bring her in." When Caldew left the room on his errand, Captain Stanhill turned to Superintendent Merrington with a pained expression on his face. "Do you suspect--" he commenced.