Hilda nervously laced and unlaced her fingers. "Only here," she answered after a pause.
"Ah, yes you did. Come now, lady. Speak the truth. You saw him at Meinert's."
Hilda started violently. The detectives exchanged significant glances. "No," she protested. "I saw him only here."
"Were you out of the store this afternoon?"
A long pause, then a faint "Yes."
"Where did you go?" Casey added.
The blood flew to Hilda's face, then left it. "To Meinert's," she answered. "But only as far as the door."
"Oh!" said Casey sarcastically, and O'Rourke laughed. "It's no use to hold back, lady," continued Casey. "We know all about your movements. You went in Meinert's—in at the family entrance."
"Yes," replied Hilda. She was shaking as if she were having a chill. "But just to the door, then home again."
"Now, that won't do," said Casey roughly. "You'd better tell the whole story."