"Not likely," returned Mrs. Mace.
Nevertheless, she followed her brother around to the kitchen, and the others came after, John Mace keeping tight hold of the young electrician's arm to prevent him from running away.
They found Mary Haggerty, the cook, busy at work preparing dinner. She looked up in surprise as the little party blocked up the doorway.
"Now, tell us the truth, Mary," began Mrs. Mace. "Do you understand? I want the truth."
"Sure, mum, an' what's the matter?" gasped the Irish girl, turning pale.
"Two of my diamond rings have been stolen."
"Stholen! Saints presirve us."
"What we want to know is if you saw a strange man pass out of the side gate," put in Belden Brice, coming at once to the point.
"Oi did, sur," replied the cook.
This answer dumbfounded Mr. and Mrs. Mace.
"You did?" cried both.
"Yis, mum."
"And why didn't you speak of it before?" shrieked Mrs. Mace, catching the cook by the arm.
"Sure, an' Oi thought it was the mon as was to put up the alarm bells."
"Mr. Fells?"
"No, mum. The mon as worruks for him."
"This boy?"
"No, the other fellow."
