"Oh, yes, and showed people to their seats. She did that also, but she really was the secretary of Papa Schwartz. Sometimes Laura went to the hall, and it was there she met Moxton. He fell in love with her and married her. She brought her pigs to a pretty market," said Mrs. Amber, vigorously but vulgarly, "but she would marry the beast in spite of all that Janet could say."
"And Hilda? Of course I do. They lived with me for some time. Poor girl, she is blind, and Papa Schwartz is devoted to her."
Mrs. Amber shrugged her shoulders and jingled her bracelets. "Oh! he is well enough," said she, in a disparaging tone. "A broken-down military dandy. Hilda would be in the workhouse so far as he is concerned. It is Papa Schwartz who keeps them both."
"In spite of his reputation Schwartz seems to be a good man," said Ellis, musingly. "You say that he engaged Janet Gordon as his private secretary. How was that?"
"He knew her in Germany, or Austria, or somewhere."
"Indeed, have she and her sister lived abroad?"
"Yes, for a considerable time, I believe. Their stepfather was a M. Zirknitz, as I learnt from that horrid Rudolph. But I really do not know anything about their past life, doctor. Janet held her tongue, and so did Laura, in spite of her frivolity. Who they are or where they came from I do not know. Papa Schwartz might."
"I shall see him about it. There appears to be some mystery about these girls, Mrs. Amber."
"I agree with you, doctor. But I am certain they are ladies."
"Did you see Miss Gordon when she arrived here after the murder?"
"No, she came in after midnight and used her latchkey. I thought nothing of it at the time, as her business kept her out late. But when I wished to see her about the murder, which was in the morning papers, she refused to let me enter the room. I never saw her until two or three days ago, when she went away."
"No, Mrs. Moxton never came near her, except this last time to take her away. Where they have gone I know no more than the man in the moon."
"Did anyone come to see her while she was in her bedroom."
"Papa Schwartz did, but she refused to admit him."
"I wonder if he will know their whereabouts?"
"He might," said Mrs. Amber, with a nod. "Janet is his secretary."