“That leaves only the cook, in whom Mrs. Ringold has absolute confidence, and a girl who serves as a maid, named Annette Levine. She has been there less than a year.”
“Did you see her?” Nick inquired.
“Rather!” said Chick expressively. “She was so much in evidence that I could not help suspecting her.”
“You mean?”
“Merely that she passed through the hall five times while I was talking with Mrs. Ringold in the library,” Chick explained. “I had cautioned Mrs. Ringold to speak low, so I know that the girl could not have overheard us. But I noticed that she glanced furtively into the room each time she passed the open door.”
“Gee! that girl needs looking after,” said Patsy, who had been listening.
“Describe her, Chick.”
“Oh, she’s a slender, thin-featured girl of about twenty, possibly a little older. She has gray, catty eyes and a foxy countenance. I agree with Patsy that she needs looking after.”
Nick turned abruptly to his junior assistant.
“Go over there, Patsy, and watch the house until you are sure Annette Levine is in bed for the night,” he directed.