“That’s what I’m doing! And I don’t propose to lie down on the job, either. I tell you, Gordon. I know a lot about detective work—”
“Cut it out, Pink,” said Helen, and her words seemed to have an effect on the irrepressible youth. “To read detective stories is one thing—to solve a real, live mystery is quite another.”
“That’s right, Helen,” and Lockwood nodded approval. “Many a person thinks he has a bit of detective instinct, when all he has is curiosity and imagination.”
Helen, pleased at this appreciation went on to lay down the law for Pinckney Payne.
She was interrupted by the entrance of Morton who wanted to learn more of the departed Japanese, Nogi.
“What other servants are there?” he asked Mrs. Peyton.
“Only the two Japanese,” she replied. “They do all the cooking and serving at table; all the cleaning of the house; and the rest, my daughter and myself attend to.”
“There is a chauffeur?”
“Yes, but the garage is a few blocks away, and the chauffeur lives at home.”
“You had Nogi but a short time?”