"It was the key turning in my lady's room. She is going out. There's the street door slamming. You heard that, of course?"
"Yes, I heard that."
"And there is Miss Ida White crossing the road to the opposite side of the way, and there, sir, are my men following her, without her having the slightest suspicion that she is being tracked."
My sight is strong, and I had a clear view of Ida White. She was stylishly dressed, and was certainly good-looking.
"It is my opinion," said Fowler, "that she feathered her nest when she was in Mrs. Layton's service but I don't care how much money she may have saved or filched, if she goes on betting on horses the book-makers will have every penny of it."
There was nothing more to be done, and feeling somewhat ill at ease in my disguise, I prepared to leave.
"I will see you out of the street, sir," said Fowler. "It happens often enough that watchers are watched, without their being aware of it."
Before I bade Fowler good-day I impressed upon him that no money was to be spared in the business had intrusted to him, and that he had better engage two or three more men, to be ready for any emergency that might occur. He promised to do so, and I made my way home.