Thoroughly drilled in the art of aiding and abetting her niece, Mrs. Aliston proved equal to the emergency.
"It couldn't do any harm," she said surveying the gentleman tramp somewhat superciliously. "He looks quite respectable, for that sort of a person."
Constance stifled an inclination to laugh as she said, briskly:
"Then we will try him, and I'll just take him to the kitchen, and tell cook what to do with him until Simon comes."
"Now just let me do that Con.," remonstrated Mrs. Aliston, "Mr. Belknap wishes to talk with you about the servants; remain here, and I will attend to this person."
"Very well," responded Constance, indifferently, at the same time realizing the expediency of allowing the detective an instant opportunity for dropping a word of warning in the ear of her relative. "Tell the cook to give him something to eat, and now Mr. Belknap, you and I may walk on."
"Just follow me, my man," called Mrs. Aliston, in a tone of loftiest patronage, and the newly appointed under gardener, beaming with gratitude, passed by Miss Wardour and Mr. Belknap, and followed the portly figure kitchenward with eager alacrity.
Meantime, Constance, eager to engross Mr. Belknap's attention, turned toward him a smiling face, and said:
"Now, Mr. Belknap, I am at your disposal for a short time; fate seems against my obtaining the rest I came out here to seek, but your business is in my interest, and I am not ungrateful; you wished to say something about my servants."
"I wish to question your servants separately, Miss Wardour."