“At what hour did he go?” questioned the Secretary.
“About half-past twelve o’clock.”
“Wasn’t that rather an unusual hour for him to stay?”
Eleanor colored warmly. “It was most unusual,” she admitted. “But the pouring rain was responsible for that. He telephoned for a herdic cab or a taxi, but they were all engaged, and he waited, hoping that one would eventually be sent to my house.”
“Mr. Winthrop spoke of an awning at your door, Miss Thornton,” again broke in Brett. “I have passed your house a number of times and have never seen one.”
“I had a large tea on Monday afternoon, and had the awning put up for that occasion, as the weather was threatening and my house stands some distance from the curb. The awning was removed early the next morning.”
“It is not so very far from your house to the Senator’s residence,” mused the Secretary. “I should have thought, considering the lateness of the hour, that he would have walked home.”
“But he was not going home, Mr. Secretary. He told me that he was going to drive to your house, as he had to see you immediately on your return that night.”