“Nothing,” said I.
“I was afraid so!” she cried, and broke away from me and shut the door of her own room in my face. Nor have I ever since been able to get a word from her concerning that night.
It was about the same time I discovered that, though she almost never left the house, she was telephoning for messenger boys when she thought I was out of hearing. It set my curiosity on edge, I tell you. I began to watch. And then I discovered she was sending out little envelopes and getting little envelopes in return. All my old training with Mrs. Welstoke came back to me; I made up my mind to be as sly as a weasel. Finally my chance came.
I had been out to do some shopping and walked home across the park. Just as I came within sight of the house, I saw a messenger boy come down our steps. I ran as fast as my old limbs would carry me, until I caught up with him.
“Little boy!” I said.
He looked around, half frightened and half impudent.
“There’s been a mistake!” I told him. “Where did the lady tell you to take the message.”
“Why, to the man with the gold teeth,” said he.
“There’s a mistake in it,” said I. “Give me the envelope.”
He looked at me suspiciously.