Dowker looked sharply at the new comer, whom he now knew to be Lady Balscombe's maid, and she returned his gaze with a look of suspicion.
"Well, sit," she said at length, in a rather harsh voice, "I hope you'll know me again."
Dowker laughed, and Lydia hastened to introduce him to Miss Lifford, who being an extremely self-possessed young person took the introduction very calmly, though she manifested some surprise when she heard Mr. Dowker's calling.
"This gentleman," said Lydia when they were all seated, "wants to ask you a few questions."
"And for what?" asked Miss Lifford, indignantly, "my character I hope being above policemen's prying."
"I'm not a policeman," explained Dowker, smoothly, "but a detective, and I want to know all that took place on the night your mistress eloped."
"Are you employed by Sir Rupert?" asked Anne, grandly, "because though I knows they fought bitter, yet wild bulls won't drag anything out of me against my mistress, she being a good one to me."
"I don't want you to say anything against your mistress," replied Dowker, mildly, "but I am investigating this case of murder."
"Murder!" echoed Miss Lifford in a scared tone, "who is murdered--not Lady Balscombe?"
"No," said Lydia, bursting into tears, "but my poor mistress, Miss Sarschine."