"No, sir, they are all in bed."

"Then--what is your name?"

"Cooper, sir."

"Then, Cooper, call the butler, or whoever is in general charge.
And--summon Mrs. Schuyler."

"I'll call Jepson, he's the butler, sir. And I'll call Mrs. Schuyler's
maid, Tibbetts, if she's in. And the maid, Hester, who waits on the
Misses Schuyler. Shall I?"

"Yes, get things started. Get Jepson as soon as you can."

"This is an awful affair," said Mason, as Cooper went off. We were in
the hall, a great apartment more like a room, save that a broad
staircase curved up at one side. The furnishings were magnificent, but
in a taste heavily ornate and a little old-fashioned. There were
carved and upholstered benches, but none of us cared to sit. The
tension was too great.

"Keep your eyes open, Lowney," he went on. "There's lots to be picked
up from servants, before they're really on their guard. Get all you
can about Mr. Schuyler's evening habits from the man, Cooper. But go
easy with the ladies. It's hard enough for them at best."

The valet reappeared with Jepson. This butler was of the accepted
type, portly and important, but the staggering news Cooper had
evidently told him, had made him a man among men.