She paused and shot a tentative look at him. He met it, teetered his head in quiet comprehension and murmured:
"She didn't see you?"
"Oh no, she was not looking that way. And I didn't say anything or think anything then—thought she'd gone downstairs for something she'd forgotten. The next day it had passed out of my mind; it wasn't until I heard that the jewels were gone that it came back and then I was too shocked to say a word. It all came upon me in a minute—I remembered how I'd seen her and remembered that she knew the combination of the safe."
"Oh," said Mr. Larkin, "she knew that, did she?"
"Yes, she keeps her account books and money in there, things she uses in her work. You see she's been thoroughly trusted—never looked upon as anything but perfectly honest and reliable."
"Then she's filled her position to Mrs. Janney's satisfaction?"
"Entirely. Of course we really don't know very much about her. She was highly recommended when she came, but people in her position if they do their work well—one doesn't bother much about them."
"Have you noticed anything in her conduct or manner of life lately that could—er—have any connection with or throw any light on such an action?"
Suzanne pondered for a moment then said:
"No—she's always been about the same. She's gone into the city more this summer than she did last year, on her holidays, I mean. And—oh yes, this may be important—that night, when we came home from dinner, she asked my mother if she could have the following day—Saturday—in town. Mrs. Janney said she might and she went in before any of the family were up."