The detective bowed and took a seat, while Calliston turned to Mrs. Povy.
"You can go now," he said quietly, "and don't let me be disturbed until I ring the bell."
"Wait a minute," observed Dowker, as Mrs. Povy passed him. "You told me it was Miss Sarschine visited Mr. Desmond on that night?"
"And so it was," retorted Totty, defiantly, pausing at the door. "If I was massacred this minute I'd swear it."
"How are you so certain?"
"Because I saw her face--as if I didn't know it, and another thing, she wore the same dress and jacket as she did when she were here in the afternoon--get along with you," said Totty, viciously, "telling me I'm telling lies, an' am old enough to be your mother, only my sons 'ud be men and not skeletons," and with this sarcastic allusion to Dowker's leanness, the indignant Mrs. Povy departed.
"Ah!" said Dowker, thoughtfully, not paying any attention to her last remark, "it was the resemblance and the change of clothes made her make the mistake--humph----"
"Now, then, Mr. Dowker," said Calliston, tapping the table impatiently, "where do you want me to begin from?"
"From the time your lordship arrived at 'The Pink 'Un.'" Calliston stared at him in astonishment.
"How the deuce did you know I was there?" he asked.