“Well,” said I, “I have been in the house but a few minutes and have seen but three persons besides yourself. I had rather not mention any one as the possible accomplice of so daring a crime till I have seen and conversed with every one here. But there is a girl up-stairs—you yourself called my attention to her—about whom I should like to ask a question or two. I allude to Philippa, Mrs. Winchester’s companion.”
He turned an eye full of expectancy towards me.
“Do you like her? Have you confidence in her? Is she a person to be trusted?” I inquired.
His glance grew quite bright, and he bowed with almost a gesture of respect.
“You could not have a better witness,” he remarked.
The answer was so unexpected, I hastily dropped my eyes.
“She will talk, then, if I interrogate her?” said I.
It was now his turn to look disconcerted.
“Then you have not done so?” he asked.
“I have not had the opportunity,” I rejoined.