'Yes, quite soon.'
'You are mysterious,' remarked Mrs. Baxendale, raising her eyebrows a little as she smiled.
'Well, aunt, I will be so no longer. I want to cross-examine you, if you will let me. Do you promise to answer?'
'To the best of my poor ability.'
'Then the first question shall be this,—when did you last hear of Emily Hood?'
'Of Emily Hood?'
Mrs. Baxendale had the habit of controlling the display of her emotions, it was part of her originality. But it was evident that the question occasioned her extreme surprise, and not a little trouble.
'Yes, will you tell me?' said Beatrice, in a tone of calm interest.
'It's a strange question. Still, if you really desire to know, I heard from her about six months ago.'
'She was in London then?'