her ease than he had done with Miss Lloyd.

"Is it Miss Lloyd's bag?"

"I don't think so, sir."

"Don't you know? As her personal maid, you must be acquainted
with her belongings."

"Yes, sir. No, it isn't hers, sir."

But as this statement was made after a swift but noticeable
glance of inquiry at her mistress, a slight distrust of Elsa
formed in my own mind, and probably in the minds of others.

"She has one like this, has she not?"

"She--she did have, sir; but she--she gave it to me."

"Yes? Then go and get it and let us see it."

"I haven't it now, sir. I--I gave it away."

"Oh, you gave it away! To whom? Can you get it back?"

"No, sir; I gave it to my cousin, who sailed for Germany last
week."

Miss Lloyd looked up in surprise, and that look of surprise told
against her. I could see Parmalee's eyes gleam as he concluded