"Yes," mother put in; "Mary Russell knew."
Mother gave a little laugh. "But she is one of ourselves."
The policeman wanted to know all about Mary— who she was, where she lived, how long she had been with us, when she had left. Mother answered these questions; and the name of Walter came in too. I wouldn't say a word.
"Then the watch was missed two days after she left?" says the policeman.
Mother smiled.
"Oh, you needn't think anything of that," says she. "I'd as soon suspect myself as Mary Russell—if not sooner. We know her well."
The policeman didn't look quite so certain, but he only asked—
"What about the young fellow, her brother?"
"A schoolmaster: clever young fellow, and most respectable every way," father declared.
"Didn't know where the watch was, of course?" says the policeman.