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“He didn’t,” said the old woman. “I never left the kitchen from five this afternoon till I come in here. I saw nothing of Hung. He speaks the truth.”
Barnes stood staring at Hung through his vivid little eyes, but the beady eyes of the Chinaman gave back no answering gleam. Still the detective played with the pack of white cards in his hand.
“We’re getting nowhere,” pouted Carlotta Drew. “I must say I feel faint and weak. Surely we may be excused now.”
“Not yet!” snapped Barnes. “I’m sorry. I believe you’ve had no dinner. If Mrs. MacShane here could make us all a cup of coffee———”
“I can that,” said Mrs. MacShane.
“Go and help,” said Barnes to Hung, and the latter, after a moment of open defiance, turned slowly on his velvet-shod feet and followed the old woman to the kitchen.
Barnes stood in deep thought, looking from one to another of the group that re-
