“Then she has disappeared!” I exclaimed.
“That’s just it. And they were always such a devoted pair. Little Oswald was the only thing she lived for.”
“Lived!” I echoed. “Then do you think she’s dead?” I asked quickly.
“Dead! Why should we think so? If she were, we should surely have seen it in the papers?”
“But your master has very funny fits sometimes,” I said. “I’ve heard about his eccentric ways.”
“Of course he has. He’s overburdened with money—that’s what it is. Mr. Henderson looks after all his affairs. Mr. De Gex has no regard for money. Mr. Henderson attends to everything. Phew! I wish I were a millionaire! I find it hard enough nowadays to pay the butcher and baker and make both ends meet.”
“And so do I,” I said, laughing. “But, tell me, where is the young lady who used to live here—Mr. De Gex’s niece?”
“His niece! I don’t think he has a niece.”
“Miss Gabrielle Engledue.”
“Who’s she? I’ve never heard of her,” was the man’s reply.