“No. He packed up and left, bag and baggage.”
“He told me he was going,” Mason said. “Tell me, do you know anything at all about a Bill Hogarty?”
She frowned. “Bill Hogarty,” she repeated.
“Yes,” Mason said, watching her closely.
“I’ve heard the name,” she said, after a while. “I think I heard Ned Barkler and Uncle Alden talking about him once.”
“Do you know what was said?”
“No. I remember now. They were talking in low tones when I came into the room. Barkler had his back turned to me. I heard him say, ‘You got Hogarty’s...’ and then Uncle Alden frowned at him. He looked up and saw me, and quit talking.”
“Do you know how long ago that was?”
“No, I don’t. To tell you the truth, it didn’t impress me much at the time. I thought... ” She broke off and laughed nervously. “To tell you the truth, Mr. Mason, I thought I’d interrupted a smutty story. Have you told Emily? We must notify her.”
Mason shook his head. “The police haven’t been able to locate her.”