"A Spanish-American," repeated Darrel, "from South America?"
"Yes, she is a native of Lima."
"And Lima is in Peru. Strange!"
Darrel looked at Torry and Torry gazed at Darrel. Mrs. Grent came from Peru; and the Blue Mummy had been obtained from a Peruvian tomb. The coincidence--if it was one--was strange.
CHAPTER VI
[THE SECRETARY]
Quite unaware of the clue his chance remark had given to his visitors, the banker touched an electric bell.
"Send Mr. Vass to me," he said when the clerk appeared; then turning towards Torry, he added: "Mr. Grent's private secretary will be here in a few minutes, he will be able to answer your questions better than I."
"Was Mr. Vass in the confidence of the deceased, sir?"
"Entirely. He was Mr. Grant's right hand. I may inform you as a proof of the confidence my poor friend put in him that Mr. Vass had, and has, the key of Mr. Grent's private safe. I will leave you alone with Vass, while I send a wire to my father in Paris, advising him of this tragedy." He paused a moment, then continued: "I may also add that Mr. Vass has been ill, and since Saturday has been confined to his bed; he returned only this morning to his work."