There was a sort of defiant displeasure in her words that, to Ruxton, might have been just her natural form of address, or might not have been. He paused, glanced down at her bundle, and finally regarded her severely. "Where are you going?" he demanded. "Don't see it's your bizness. Any'ow I'm goin' to do a bit o' shoppin'." Then Ruxton adopted a high hand. "Well, just come back up-stairs a minute. Your shopping will keep. I want to speak to you on a matter of importance. Come along." He moved on up the stairs, and Mrs. Jenkins, used to obeying somebody at all times, followed him protestingly. "I don't see I got no right any'ow. But wot with her bein' away, and stoppin' away, and me 'avin' no food to eat, as you might say, an' my wages overdue, an' the bills unpaid, I don't know, I'm sure. Maybe you got my wages with you, bein' a friend of 'ers?" But Ruxton offered no explanation until they reached the flat and the door of it was securely shut behind them. Then he turned upon her with a forcefulness that reduced her to the necessary condition for giving all the information he needed with the least superfluous verbiage. "Look here, Mrs. Jenkins, I just want a few straight answers to a few plain questions. Remember, the matters I'm going to question you on are of vital importance--very vital importance. I just want plain truth and nothing else." "Truth! You'll say I'm lyin' next. Wot d'yer want to know? My motter is allus tell the truth an' shame the devil." "Yes, yes, that's all right. Where's your mistress?" The woman sniffed, while she eyed him distrustfully. "Dunno. Ain't see 'er since you was 'ere last." "When did you expect her?" "Why, next day, o' course. She allus come 'ere every day 'less she sed. 'Sides, my wages was due next day, an' there's the 'ousekeepin' money. I ain't got neither. I writ 'er to 'er home, but ain't 'ad no answer. I got to eat, an' I ain't got nothin' t' eat in the place, so I was just goin' to slip round with a pair o' blankets an' get a loan. Y' see I didn't know wot to do, an' I tho't----" She broke off with a fresh sniff. Ruxton produced some money and handed her two sovereigns. "There, that'll keep you going. Now all I want from you are these facts. You haven't seen her since I was here, and you expected her next day. You wrote to her and received no reply. The last time you saw her she was leaving for her--home. That so?" The woman nodded and sniffed. "Yes, sir." The gold had impressed her. "Very well. Now I want you to keep on here as if nothing had happened. You shall have your money regularly. Look after your mistress's things carefully, and if any one calls here, any visitors, men, or--or strangers, let me know. There, that card will give you my address. If I'm not there my secretary will take any message for me. I'm afraid some accident must have happened to your mistress. I am going to find out with the help of the--police. Do you understand? Whatever you do, don't talk."