"I should think five minutes, sir; though it might have been ten."
"And during this five or ten minutes the maid was not in the breakfast-room?"
"No, sir."
"Send her to me." The butler left the room, and, whilst waiting for the maid, Mr. Barnes addressed Mr. Gedney.
"Mr. Gedney," said he, "you have not told me the name of the doctor."
"His name is Donaldson. Everybody knows Dr. Donaldson."
"Has he served you long?"
"Ever since I came to live in this neighborhood. About two years, I should say. He has seemed to be very fond of Elinora. Why, he has been here a half-dozen times asking for news of her since her disappearance. He has a curious theory which I can hardly credit. He thinks she may have wandered off in the night, asleep. But then he has not seen this letter from 'D. M.' yet."
"I would like to speak to him about his somnambulistic idea. Do you think he will drop in to-day?"
"He may be in at any moment, as he has not called yet this morning. Here is my daughter's maid."