“Of course not, Mr. Jones,” the poor little woman assured him. “I only wish——”
The detective nodded. “I wish, too, that I could find him for you, Mrs. Simpson,” he said sincerely, and added, under his breath, “and for you alone.”
“May be I will—who knows?” he went on, gazing thoughtfully about. “By the way, where do you sleep, if I may ask? At the back of the house?”
CHAPTER XVII.
CRAY WIRES FOR “CARTER.”
It is not to be wondered at that Mrs. Simpson looked surprised at a question which appeared so irrelevant.
“Yes, I do,” she answered, “but I don’t see what in the world that has to do with Mr. Simpson’s absence.”
“Nothing, of course,” was the prompt response. “I’m trying to get at something else, Mrs. Simpson—I’m afraid I can’t tell you just what at present. Are you a light sleeper?”
“Yes, very.”