Mrs. Peyton received her coldly, for the two were not friends.
“I came to see Mr. Cray,” Miss Bascom announced, “on important business.”
“Oh, very well,” the housekeeper returned, “take a seat and I’ll ask him to see you.”
Miss Bascom waited in the living-room, secure in her knowledge of the importance of her news.
The attorney welcomed her cordially for he saw at once that she brought news of value.
And, expressed in emphatic language, and interspersed with many and unfavorable personal opinions, Liza Bascom told of the incident of finding the money and the ruby in Miss Austin’s bureau drawer.
“Astonishing!” commented Cray. “Who is she?”
“Nobody knows, that’s the queer part. We call her Miss Mystery.”
“Where did she come from?”
“Nobody knows. She just appeared.”