"If we believe him at all, why shouldn't we believe the whole tale? I don't know Vicky Van, you understand, except as a casual friend. I mean, I know nothing of her family, her past, or her personality, except as I've seen her in a friendly way. I like her, thoroughly, but I can't honestly say that I know her." "Who does?" "Nobody. All her friends say the same thing. She is lovely and dear, but never confidential, or communicative regarding herself." "Wherever she went, Julie must be with her," I suggested. "I don't know. I dare say that is so, but how on earth could _two_ women get out of this house without its being known?" "And yet, they did. Whether alone or together, they both got away last night. You don't think they're still concealed in the house?" "Oh, no, of course not; after the search we made." "I can't help thinking they'll turn up to-day. Julie, anyway. Why, Miss Van Allen must come back or send back for her valuables. I saw jewelry and money in the dressing-room." "Yes; but, of course, they're safe enough. They're all in care of the police." We were interrupted by the entrance of a policeman and a woman who had come to work. "She says," the policeman addressed Mrs. Reeves, "that she was expected here to-day to clean. Now, we can't let her disturb things much, but she'd better wash up a little, and throw away some of the supper stuff that won't keep." Everybody seemed to look to Mrs. Reeves as a sort of proxy housekeeper, and I wondered what they would have done without her. Though I suppose they would have managed. "Yes, indeed," was her glad response. "Let her tidy up these breakfast things I've used, and there's some cups and plates in the kitchen, for I gave those poor policemen some food 'long 'bout three o'clock this morning. And she can throw out the melted ice cream, it's no good to anybody, and it surely isn't evidence!" I determined to ask the working-woman some questions, but the police forestalled me. Ferrall came down and joined us, and spoke to her at once. "Good morning, Mrs. Flaherty. Don't you do anything now, but just what you're told to do. And first, tell us a thing or two. How often do you come here? I've seen you in and out, now and again." "Yes, I do be comin' whin I'm sint for; not of a reg'lar day. Maybe wanst a week, maybe of'ner. Thin agin, not for a fortnight." "Just as I said," declared Mrs. Reeves. "Vicky often goes away for days at a time." "Shure she does that. Miss Van Allen is here to-day an' gone to-morrow, but Miss Julie she looks after me wurruk, so she does." "She engages you when you are needed?" I asked. "Yes, sir. They's a tillyphone in me husband's shop, an' if anny wan calls me, he lets me know." "When did they tell you to come here to-day?" "'Twas yisterday, sir. Miss Julie, she sinds wurrud for me to come this marnin' to clane, as they do be havin' a party last night. Ach, that this thrubble should come!"