Margaret hesitated, glancing rapidly at the Inspector, and then down at the writing-table before which she was seated. She began to tap the blotting-pad with an ivory paper-knife. Kerry was watching her intently.
“Upon your evidence, Miss Halley,” he said rapidly, “may depend the life of the missing woman.”
“Oh!” cried Margaret, “whatever can have happened to her? I rang up as late as two o’clock this morning; after that I abandoned hope.”
“There’s something underlying the case that I don’t understand, miss. I look to you to put me wise.”
She turned to him impulsively.
“I will tell you all I know, Inspector,” she said. “I will be perfectly frank with you.”
“Good!” rapped Kerry. “Now—you have known Mrs. Monte Irvin for some time?”
“For about two years.”
“You didn’t know her when she was on the stage?”
“No. I met her at a Red Cross concert at which she sang.”