"This is—I really forget your name, my good girl," said the duke, apologetically.
"Margaret, sir; Margaret Watson," said the lady's maid, with a courtesy.
"Ay. This is Margaret Watson, the confidential maid of her grace, Mr. Setter. Margaret, my good girl, Mr. Setter wishes to put some questions to you, relating to the disappearance of your mistress. I hope you will answer his inquiries as frankly and fearlessly as you have answered ours," said the duke, as he took up a paper for a pretext and walked to the other end of the library, leaving the detective officer at liberty to pursue his investigations alone.
It is needless for us to go over the ground again. It is sufficient to say that Detective Setter questioned and cross-questioned the girl with all the skill of an old and experienced hand, and at the end of half an hour's sharp and close examination, he had obtained no new information.
The girl was dismissed, with a warning not to talk of the affair. And she was followed by the housekeeper, with no better result.
Thus all the domestics of the establishment were called and examined singly; but without success.
When the last servant was done with, and sent out of the room, the detective walked up to the duke.
"Well, Mr. Setter?" inquired the latter.
"Your grace, I have learned nothing from the servants but what you have already told me."
"Do you still wish to search the premises?"