“She is playing her part most beautifully!”
The girl was in the act of leaving when the detective descended the stairs, saying:
“Please wait a minute, I would like a few words with this lady.”
Barnes would have gone down with him but Nick Carter waved him back.
The detective saw before him a beautiful young girl, not more than sixteen, dressed very plainly, but neatly, and looking every inch the lady.
So far as appearance went it was in her favor, but the detective had learned in a hard school not to trust in the slightest degree to appearances, and from the fact of this girl’s coming here to claim relationship on the morning following the murder of Mr. Field, he set her down as being one of the conspirators against that gentleman, and would continue so to look upon her until the contrary was proved.
Bowing to her very politely and thoroughly masking his real feelings, he said:
“Will you please step into the parlor, miss?”
Inclining her head she moved in the direction of the room indicated.
The detective followed her in.