"This is Mr. Mallow. We wish to ask you a few
questions."
"I have seen Mr. Mallow before," said Susan, gasping and
flushing.
"At Rose Cottage?" said Mallow inquiringly.
"No. When I was with Senora Gredos as parlor-maid."
"Senora Gredos?" said Jennings, before Cuthbert could speak.
"Do you mean Maraquito?"
"I have heard that her name was Maraquito, sir," said Susan
calmly. "A lame lady and fond of cards. She lives in--"
"I know where she lives," said Cuthbert, flushing in his turn.
"I went there occasionally to play cards. I never saw you."
"But I saw you, sir," said the girl fervently. "Often I have
watched you when you thought I wasn't, and--"
"One moment," said Jennings, interrupting. "Let's us get to
the pith of the matter at once. Where did you get Mr.
Mallow's portrait?"
"I don't want to say," murmured the girl.
"But you must say," said Mallow angrily. "I order you to
confess."
"I kept silent for your sake, sir," she said, her eyes filled
with tears, "but if you must know, I took the portrait from
Senora Gredos' dressing-room when I left her house. And I
left it on your account, sir," she finished defiantly.
CHAPTER X
THE PARLOR-MAID'S STORY
On hearing the confession of the girl, both men looked at one
another in amazement. How could Cuthbert's photograph have
come into the possession of Senora Gredos, and why had Susan
Grant stolen it? And again, why did she hint that she had
held her tongue about the matter for the sake of Mallow?
Jennings at once proceeded to get at the truth.
Pages:
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128