“Can’t see anything in it. Unless the murderer started the fire to distract attention from himself. In that case, it couldn’t have been any of the Wheelers.”
“That it couldn’t. They were all in the house.”
“Miss Maida—did you see her at the time?”
“I caught a glimpse of her as I ran through the hall.”
“Where was she?”
“In the den; standing near the bay window.”
“Well, we’ve pretty well planted the three. Mrs. Wheeler on the stairs, Mr. Wheeler, you say, in the living-room, where he had no right to be, and Miss Maida——”
“Oh, Miss Maida didn’t do it! She couldn’t! That lovely young lady!”
“There, Rachel, that will do. You’ve given your testimony, now it’s not for you to pass judgment. Go about your business, and keep a quiet tongue. No babbling—you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” and the maid went away, her attitude still one of importance, and her face wearing a vague smile.