He smiled a grim smile and waived the question.
“And who do you think gave the signal or threw the diamonds? Do not be afraid to speak names; the case is too serious for paltering.”
“Well,” said I, “I have been in the house but a few minutes and have seen but three persons besides yourself. I had rather not mention any one as the possible accomplice of so daring a crime till I have seen and conversed with every one here. But there is a girl up-stairs——you yourself called my attention to her——about whom I should like to ask a question or two. I allude to Philippa, Mrs. Winchester’s companion.”
He turned an eye full of expectancy towards me.
“Do you like her? Have you confidence in her? Is she a person to be trusted?” I inquired.
His glance grew quite bright, and he bowed with almost a gesture of respect.
“You could not have a better witness,” he remarked.
The answer was so unexpected, I hastily dropped my eyes.
“She will talk, then, if I interrogate her?” said I.
It was now his turn to look disconcerted.
“I have not had the opportunity,” I rejoined.
“Ah,” he exclaimed, “I see.” And with a look and manner hard to describe, he added, “Mrs. Winchester naturally kept the girl quiet. I might have expected that.”
Astonished at this new turn, I ventured to speak the thought suggested by an admission so extraordinary.
“And why should Mrs. Winchester wish to suppress any evidence calculated to lead to the discovery of a thief who had so heavily robbed her?”
The gleam of satisfaction which for the last few moments had lighted up the countenance of the gentleman before me, faded perceptibly.
“I see,” he observed, “that our opinions on this matter are less in accord than I supposed. But,” he continued more heartily, “you have, as you very justly remarked just now, been but a few minutes in the house, and have not had full opportunity to learn the facts. I will wait till you have talked with Philippa. Shall I call her here?”
“Do,” I urged; “she is below, I think, though possibly she may still be in the rooms above;” and I explained how she had started away at my approach, hiding herself in apartments to which I felt I had not the right of access.
He frowned, and moved hastily toward the door, but paused half-way to ask me another question.