“Learn all you can from her. I'll be back pretty soon—as soon as she has gone. Find out where she's stopping. Don't mention me.”
The hall was dimly lighted, and he had a chance to say this to Viola without getting into full view of the caller, and without her overhearing. Then, turning quickly, Colonel Ashley hurried out of the house.
“Morocco Kate,” he mused as he got into the car again, and told Jean to drive to Captain Poland's. “Morocco Kate! I wonder if she is just beginning her game, or if this is merely a phase of it, started before Mr. Carwell's death? Another link added to the puzzle.”
He was still pondering over this when he reached the captain's home. It was a rather elaborate summer “cottage,” with magnificent grounds, and the captain's mother kept house for him. But there was a curious deserted air about the place as Jean drove up the gravel road. A man was engaged in putting up boards at the windows.
“Is the captain here?” asked the colonel.
“The place is being closed for the season, sir,” answered the man, evidently a caretaker.
“Closed? So early?” exclaimed the colonel, in surprise.
“The captain has gone away,” the man went on. “I got orders yesterday to close the place for the season. Captain Poland will not be back.”
“Oh!” softly exclaimed the colonel. And then to himself he added: “He won't be back! Well, perhaps I shall have to bring him back. Another link! There may be three people in this instead of two!”