reins; he fastened them to the driver's seat, spoke to the horse, and
the horse moved off and into Massachusetts Avenue toward Dupont Circle.
The man watched him for a moment; then turned and went down
Massachusetts Avenue. After waiting a short while, I went to bed. This
morning, I decided it was well for you to know of the episode."

"And you have told it wonderfully well, Mrs. Winton," said the
Superintendent, "wonderfully well, indeed."

"You don't know how often I rehearsed," she laughed, "nor how much of
the essentials I may have omitted!"

"Not much, I fancy. However, you'll not object, I suppose, to answering
a few questions as to details."

"I wish you to ask anything that suggests itself," she replied. "I've an
appointment at the Chateau at five; just give me time to keep it."

"We'll get through long before five!" the Superintendent smiled, though
his shrewd grey eyes were coldly critical. It was most unlikely that she
was the Lady of Peacock Alley; yet all things are possible where a woman
is concerned, as he knew from experience. "About what time was it when
the cab stopped before the house?" he asked.

"About one o'clock, as near as I can judge," she answered.

"What was the interval between the driver's going into the house and
the man in evening clothes coming out?"

"Scarcely any interval--not more than a minute."