“You did, eh? Why, Stimson?” Landis felt slightly chagrined.

“He was so perfect, sir. Too good to be true—in a way of speaking. And Mr. Harrison gave him many a black look before he died.”

“You didn’t tell us that, Stimson!”

“No, sir. You didn’t ask.”

“Stimson, you’re a cynic!”

“Possibly, sir. Is there anything I can do?”

Landis nodded, aware that he had been rebuffed.

“You can ask Miss Mount to step in here for a moment. Ask her quietly, please. We don’t want to alarm Mrs. Graham—yet!”

“Very good, sir. I understand.” A wintry smile with just a shade of respect in it crossed the butler’s morose countenance. “Good day to you, gentlemen,” he said and withdrew.

The two man-hunters waited, glancing at each other with a certain discomfort, until Miss Mount appeared in the doorway, advanced a few paces toward them and stopped.