I gave a quick assent, and at that moment Polton threw open the door with a flourish and announced majestically:
“Miss Dewsnep, Miss Bonington.”
We all rose, and Thorndyke advanced to receive his visitors, while Polton placed chairs for them.
“It is exceedingly good of you to take all this trouble to help us,” said Thorndyke. “I hope it was not in any way inconvenient to you to come here this morning.”
“Oh, not at all,” replied Miss Dewsnep; “only we are not quite clear as to what it is that you want us to do.”
“We will go into that question presently,” said Thorndyke. “Meanwhile, may I introduce to you these two gentlemen, who are interested in our little business—Mr. Miller and Dr. Gray?”
The two ladies bowed; and Miss Dewsnep remarked:
“We are already acquainted with Dr. Gray. We had the melancholy pleasure of meeting him at Mrs. Morris’ house on the sad occasion when he came to examine the mortal remains of poor Mr. Bendelow, who is now with the angels.”
“And no doubt,” added Miss Bonington, “in extremely congenial society.”
At this statement of Miss Dewsnep’s the Superintendent turned and looked at me sharply with an expression of enlightenment; but he made no remark, and the latter lady returned to her original inquiry.