"Are you sure?" inquired Mr. Gryce, with that peculiar impressiveness he used on great occasions.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean," returned the detective, dryly, "that I believe your mother does know what she is talking about when she links the name of Mr. Orcutt with that of your cousin who was murdered. They belong together; Mr. Orcutt was her murderer."
"Mr. Orcutt?"
"Hush!" cried Mr. Gryce, "you will wake up your mother."
And, adapting himself to this emergency as to all others, he talked with the astounded and incredulous woman before him till she was in a condition not only to listen to his explanations, but to discuss the problem of a crime so seemingly without motive. He then said, with easy assurance:
"Your mother does not know that Mr. Orcutt is dead?"
"No, sir."
"She does not even know he was counsel for Craik Mansell in the trial now going on."
"How do you know that?" inquired Miss Firman, grimly.