"And her other name?"
His tone betrayed his suspicions. Mrs. Higgs shrugged her shoulders.
"What does that matter to you? She is your half-sister, but I don't suppose you wish to claim relationship?"
"Does she know—anything?"
"Something, perhaps. Not too much, I think. But it doesn't matter. She is a weak, namby-pamby creature, and I'm sick of the sight of her white face. So I've got rid of her."
"How?"
"I've given her notice to quit. I don't expect her back again."
"And aren't you afraid that she may give information?"
"Ah! Your solicitude is for yourself, eh? No, she'll hold her tongue for her own sake." And Mrs. Higgs's features relaxed into a menacing grin. "She's seen enough of me to know she must be careful!"
Dudley moved restlessly.