He moved a chair forward for her, then sat down himself, where he could watch her closely, as she talked, and Mona related all that we already know regarding the two people whom she had seen upon the street-car, together with all that followed in connection with the discovery of the rent in the gray cloth dress, the sending for the fragment that Ray had preserved, and which had fitted so exactly into the tear.
The detective listened with the closest attention, his small, keen eyes alone betraying the intense interest which her recital excited.
When she had concluded, he drew forth a set of tablets and made notes of several items, after which he said:
"Now, Miss —— What shall I call you? Whom shall I ask for at the hotel, if I should wish to see you again upon this business?"
"Miss Richards. I am traveling with a Mrs. Montague, of New York," Mona replied.
"Well, then, Miss Richards, you go back to your hotel, and of course conduct yourself as if you had nothing unusual on your mind; but hold yourself in readiness to produce that important bit of cloth, if I should call upon you to do so within the next few hours. By the way," he added, with sudden thought, "if you have it with you, I might as well take a look at it."
Mona took the paper containing it from her purse and gave it to him.
"You are sure this matches the dress?" he asked, examining it closely.
"We don't want to make any awkward mistakes, you know."
"It is identical. I believe that every thread in this piece can be matched by a corresponding thread in the garment," the fair girl asserted, so positively that he seemed to be entirely satisfied.
He returned the piece to her and then arose in a brisk, business-like way, which told that he was ready for action.