CHAPTER XX
KA
DETECTIVE Mitchell hung up the telephone receiver and sat glaring at the instrument.
“Well, I’m d—ned!” he muttered. It was some moments before he rose and went in search of Cato, but although he hunted through the entire first floor of Thornedale and called upstairs until he was hoarse, Mitchell was unable to find the old negro, and at last gave up the search. Over an hour had elapsed since the departure of Anthony, the Secret Service agent, and still Thorne had not returned. Mitchell’s impatience got the better of him, and, not troubling to leave a written message, he left the house and walked rapidly to Dewdrop Inn.
Mrs. Porter, dressed for walking, was standing in the front doorway as Mitchell came up the steps, and she greeted his appearance with a frown.
“Do you desire to see me?” she inquired. “I am just going out.”
Mitchell, however, did not stand aside for her to walk past him.
“I am very sorry, madam, to detain you,” he said firmly. “But it is imperative that I have a talk with you at once.”
Mrs. Porter whitened under her rouge. “It is quite unnecessary to adopt that tone to me,” she retorted. “I can spare you a few minutes, not more. Walk inside,” and she stepped back into the hall.
Mitchell closed the front door with a bang and tossed his hat and overcoat on the hall table.
“Has Dr. Alan Noyes returned from the court house?” he asked.