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 “She had used them on the boat, and I’d packed them for her. I ran up and got them—and brought them down. That’s—that’s all, I think.” I fancied that Mary Will was near a faint herself.

“And now, Mrs. MacShane,” said the detective, “we’ll listen to you.”

“Officer—my story’s soon told,” said the old woman. “I hears the cry, and bein’ busy with dinner, ordered at the last minute, as ye might say, I didn’t pay no attention. I’m no cook, I’m a caretaker, an’ I was doin’ the cookin’ as a favor to poor Mr. Drew, who sint me the word by wireless to-day, I havin’ looked afther the house while he was away. ‘Sure,’ says I, ‘that’s a keen cry, an’ a bitter wan, but my business is here.’ Thin I got to thinkin’, so I took a minute to come trottin’ in; afther that it was as the young lady says. I found what I found—poor Mr. Drew—God rist his soul!”

The quick eye of Barnes once more traveled around that little group. Rh