"Quit it!" he grumbled. The mirth went out of his voice. "Miss Deane, the Era wants a statement from you."
Before she could reply, Vandervent spoke. "Then we weren't mistaken. The maid said you asked for Miss Deane, but——"
Penwell shook his head.
"Naughty, naughty, Mr. Vandervent! You can't fool me."
"Then I won't try," said Vandervent crisply. "What is it that you want?" His tone was business-like.
Penwell's reply was equally so.
"The Era has learned, from an authoritative source, that Miss Deane was in the office of Morris Beiner shortly before he was murdered; that, in short, she was sought by the police on suspicion of having committed the crime."
"Carey's dead, and left a confession," said Vandervent.
Penwell shrugged. "Even so."
"Authoritative source, you said?" questioned Vandervent. "I suppose that means a drug fiend named Garland."