ll, neat cottage on the outskirts
of Rickwell, standing some distance back from the high road. Seated at
her drawing-room window, she could see all those who came or went, and
thus kept a watch over the morals of the village. This window was called
"Mrs. Parry's eye," and everyone sneaked past it in constant dread of
the terrible old lady who looked through it. Beyond Mrs. Parry's cottage
were the houses of the gentry and the church; therefore she knew that
Steel would pass her house on the way to The Elms, where he would
doubtless go to report himself to Morley. To be sure Morley was to be at
the inquest, but Mrs. Parry took no account of that. He and the
detective would certainly return to The Elms to compare notes.

Also there was another chance. Steel might go on to see Ware at his
place, which was a mile beyond the village. Giles had caught a cold
after his midnight ride and search for the missing motor, and since then
had been confined to his bed. His deposition had been taken down in
writing, for the benefit of the jury, as he could not be present
himself. Since he was deeply interested in the matter, Steel would
probably go and tell him about the inquest. Mrs. Parry therefore posted
herself at the window about twelve and waited for the detective.

At half-past twelve she saw him come along, having on the previous day
made herself acquainted with his personality. He was a dapper pert
little man, neat in his dress, and suave in his manners. Not at all like
the detective of fiction as known to Mrs. Parry. There was no solemnity
or hint of mystery about Mr. Steel. He would pass unnoticed in a crowd,
and no one would take him for a bloodhound of the law. He did not even
possess the indispensable eagle eye, nor did he utter opinions with the
air of an oracle. In fact, when Mrs. Parry captured him and lured him
into her parlor, she was exceedingly disappointed with his appearance.
"No one would even take you for a detective," said she brusquely,
whereat Steel laughed cheerily.

"All the better for me, ma'am. Folk speak more freely when they don't
know my business. But you will excuse me," he added, glancing at his
watch, "I am in a hurry. You say you know something about this matter?"

It was on this pretence that Mrs. Parry had got him into her house, else
he would not have wasted his time on her. She had therefore to make good
her words, but had not the slightest chance of doing so.

"I know that Anne Denham is i