Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/137

 were in any way unusual! Miss Mortover came in about her usual time that evening and had her tea. She didn't say anything to me about going out again, and she seemed in her usual spirits. I don't think she had any intention of going out, because after her tea she got out some sewing and started work on it. But about seven o'clock a lady came to the door and asked for Miss Mortover"

"Stop a bit!" broke in Wedgwood. "A lady? Did you see her?"

"I opened the door to her myself, and showed her in here—to this room."

"Then you can describe her?"

The landlady hesitated.

"Well, not very well, for she was that heavily veiled and wrapped up about her neck and shoulders that I couldn't see her face to be sure of it, anyway. She was a tall, spare woman, and I thought from the country. She didn't speak like a Londoner—I've heard people from the North speak like that."

"How was she dressed?" enquired Wedgwood.

"She'd a heavy fur coat that came down to her ankles, and a good deal of wrap about her neck, and a dark veil—well dressed I should say. And as far as I could judge a middle-aged person."