“Did that satisfy him?”
“Not much. But it was all that I would say. At least it gave me a chance to study him at close range.”
“What do you think of him?”
“Shelby Maddox is nobody’s fool,” replied Kennedy, slowly. “I may not know his story yet, but I have begun to get his number.”
“How about Harvey?”
“A very clever lawyer. Shelby will keep out of a great deal of trouble if he takes Harvey’s advice.”
The sound of footsteps down the hall outside interrupted us, and an instant later the laboratory door opened. Irene Maddox entered first and for a moment Winifred stood in the doorway, rather timidly, as though not yet quite convinced that she was right in coming to Kennedy.
Kennedy advanced to greet them, but still Winifred did not seem to be thoroughly reassured that the visit was just the proper thing. She looked about curiously at the instruments and exhibits which Kennedy had collected in his long warfare of science against crime, and it was evident that she would a great deal rather have had this a social visit than one in connection with the case. I guessed that it was Irene Maddox who had urged her on.
“I—we’ve come to see you about that woman, Paquita,” began Mrs. Maddox, almost before she had settled herself in one of our easy-chairs, which Craig had installed to promote confidences on the part of his clients.
Mrs. Maddox’s voice was trembling slightly with emotion and Winifred’s quick glance at Kennedy indicated that Paquita had furnished the leverage by which Mrs. Maddox had persuaded Winifred to accompany her.