The lady bowed without lifting her veil, which, though short, was a thick one.
"We received a letter from you this morning," he continued.
"Yes; I have called about it."
She hesitated. The commencement was very difficult. After all, had she done wisely in coming here? Was it not all a mistake? Had she not better leave the thing to the proper authorities, and content herself with offering a reward? She had half a mind to declare that her visit was an error, and make her escape.
It was at this point that the tact of the junior member of the firm asserted itself. Quietly laying down his pen, he turned toward her, and spoke for the first time.
"We gathered from your letter, Miss Thurwell, that you desired to consult us concerning the murder of Sir Geoffrey Kynaston."
Helen was surprised into assenting, and before she could qualify her words, Mr. Benjamin had taken the case in hand.
"Exactly. Now, Miss Thurwell, we have had some very delicate and very difficult business confided to us at different times, and I may say, without boasting, that we have been remarkably successful. I may so, father, may I not?"
"Most decidedly, Benjamin. There was Mr. Morris's jewels, you know."
"And Mr. Hadson's son."