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Rh Once more she inclined her head.

"I desire only to aid in discovering the truth."

Odell eyed her with growing interest, and the consciousness of having seen her somewhere at some past time increased. Her diction was superior to that usually encountered in one in her position, and her bearing although perfectly respectful suggested a certain dignity equally incompatible.

"When did you first learn of the discovery of Mr. Chalmers's body last week?"

"When Mr. Lorne called me to attend Mees Meade after he had led her down from the room of poor Mr. Chalmers. But I knew there was trouble, terrible trouble before that, sir, when Mr. Lorne sent the butler, Peters, up to call the young gentleman."

"Where were you at the time?"

"In the room of Mees Cissie. She had just had her coffee and was preparing to get up. We heard Peters pass the door and then come stumbling down, crying out in a choked, frightened way. Mees Cissie wanted me to go and find out what had happened, but I could not, sir. The strength left me, and I sank down into a chair. We heard Mr. Lorne go up and Mr. Gene, but Mees Meade walks so softly that we did not know when she passed the door. I was still there in that chair when Mr. Lorne called to me."

"You remained in attendance on the ladies all the morning?" Odell's questions were becoming as mechanical as the replies. He could not force the woman's personality into a secondary place, and the sense of incongruity still prevailed.

"With Mees Meade until she had recovered her com-