Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/117

 Mrs. Chipchase reflected awhile, fingering the corner of her white apron.

"Well," she replied at last, "I did just catch a word or two. But it wasn't anything that was said while they were in here—it was something the gentleman was saying as they passed through the shop when they were leaving."

"And what was that?" enquired Wedgwood.

"Well, of course, I didn't understand it," answered the confectioner. "But I've a good memory, and I can remember the exact words. He said 'Russell Square Tube, then, at six o'clock.' Just that and no more."

"Did she make any reply!"

"No—not that I heard. They were close to the door then; in fact he was opening it. I watched them after they got outside; they talked a minute or so; then he went one way and she went another."

Wedgwood turned to go; once more he had been fortunate in getting information; his next job was to think out some plan of acting on the information so far obtained.

"I'm obliged to you, ma'am," he said. "You'll remember that all this is in strict confidence. Parted outside, did they? Of course, that would be the last you saw of them?"

"Why, it was the last I saw of them together," replied Mrs. Chipchase. "I saw Mrs.