Ferrall came down and joined us, and spoke to her at once.

"Good morning, Mrs. Flaherty. Don't you do anything now, but just what
you're told to do. And first, tell us a thing or two. How often do you
come here? I've seen you in and out, now and again."

"Yes, I do be comin' whin I'm sint for; not of a reg'lar day. Maybe
wanst a week, maybe of'ner. Thin agin, not for a fortnight."

"Just as I said," declared Mrs. Reeves. "Vicky often goes away for
days at a time."

"Shure she does that. Miss Van Allen is here to-day an' gone
to-morrow, but Miss Julie she looks after me wurruk, so she does."

"She engages you when you are needed?" I asked.

"Yes, sir. They's a tillyphone in me husband's shop, an' if anny wan
calls me, he lets me know."

"When did they tell you to come here to-day?"

"'Twas yisterday, sir. Miss Julie, she sinds wurrud for me to come
this marnin' to clane, as they do be havin' a party last night. Ach,
that this thrubble should come!"

"There, now, Mrs. Flaherty, never mind your personal feelings. We're
in a hurry." Ferrall was busy making notes of the information he was
getting, and I could well understand, that any side-light on Vicky's