"Tell us how you came to meet Jay Kline," the detective ordered.
"It was this way. I waited months to hear from the letter which I sent to the Glenhaven Home. When none came I decided that Michael Gladwin must be dead. I saw no reason in that case why I shouldn't profit a little myself. After all, I worked like a slave for Old Herman and he never paid me a living wage! I took the letters to a city law firm."
"So Mr. Madden is mixed up in this affair too?" asked the detective.
"I don't know anything about him," replied the housekeeper. "I met only Jay Kline. He told me to leave everything to him and that he would force Old Herman to pay me a good sum to get the letters back again."
"There is an ugly name for that sort of thing," said Mr. Nichols. "Blackmail."
"I only meant to make Herman pay me a hundred dollars."
"The principle was exactly the same. I judge that Jay Kline being an unscrupulous rascal took matters out of your hands."
"Yes, the next thing I knew he came here and pawned himself off as Walter Crocker. I tried to make him go away but he wouldn't. I didn't mean to do wrong, Mr. Nichols. You'll not send me to jail, will you?"
"That remains to be seen," replied the detective tersely. "For the time being you are to remain here in the cottage. Talk with no one."
"Yes, sir," murmured the housekeeper meekly.