"You mustn't mind, Betty," continued the young fellow, "if he asks you some rather impertinent questions. It's only a formality, and it's part of his business. Now, sir!"
Quietly ignoring this high-handed manner, the detective seated himself, and, facing the troubled secretary, went straight at the business in hand.
"You remember Jenny Regan, the girl who was in the railway carriage when the Bishop of Bunchester discovered that his purse had been stolen?"
"Yes, I remember her," answered Betty.
"You took a great interest in this young woman, did you not? You offered her money, gave her your card, although she was a stranger. How was that?"
"I was sorry for her. She had had a hard struggle, and I wanted to help her."
"Fine!" exclaimed Bob, and Grimes flashed him a sharp glance from under his thick eyebrows.
"You had no idea she was a professional pickpocket?"
"No."
"No idea that she stole the bishop's purse?"