Page:The Clue of the Twisted Candle (1916).djvu/185

"The—?" asked the puzzled officer.

"The skivvy—slavey—hired help—get busy," said T. X. impatiently.

They brought her to T. X. in a condition bordering upon collapse.

"Get her a cup of tea," said the wise chief. "Sit down, Mary Ann, and forget all your troubles."

"Oh, sir, I've never been in this position before," she began, as she flopped into the chair they put for her.

"Then you've had a very tiring time," said T. X. "Now listen—"

"I've been respectable—"

"Forget it!" said T. X., wearily. "Listen! If you'll tell me the whole truth about Lady Bartholomew and the money she paid to Mr. Kara—"

"Two thousand pounds—two separate thousand and by all accounts—"

"If you will tell me the truth, I'll compound a felony and let you go free."

It was a long time before he could prevail upon her to clear her speech of the ego which insisted