“Do you imagine that Lucy would try to deceive me, sir?” asked Tom, reproachfully.

“I am sure she doesn’t know who you are,” answered the detective, positively.  “She doesn’t even know herself.  I have known instances where every recollection of the past was wiped out of the patient’s mind.”

There was another thoughtful pause, for the detective’s assertions were so astonishing that they fairly overwhelmed his hearers.

Then Louise asked: 

“Is such a case of dementia hopeless, Mr. Burke?”

“Not at all hopeless.  Often, I admit, it develops into permanent insanity, but there are many examples of complete recovery.  Our first business must be to assure ourselves that we are right in this conjecture.  I may be entirely wrong, for the unexpected is what I have been taught to look for in every case of mystery that has come under my observation.  But I believe I have the material at hand to prove the personality of this Eliza Parsons, and after that I shall know what to do.  Who employs your servants, Mr. Forbes?”

“Martha, my housekeeper, usually employs the maids.”

“Will you send for her, please?”

Kenneth at once obeyed the request, and presently Martha entered the library.

She was a little, withered old woman, but with a pleasant face and shrewd but kindly eyes.

“Martha,” said Kenneth, “did you employ the new linen maid, Eliza Parsons?”

“Yes, sir,” she replied, apparently surprised at the question.

“This is Mr. Burke, Martha.  Please answer any questions he may ask you.”

“Yes, Master Kenneth.”

“Did the girl bring any recommendations?” asked the detective.

Martha reflected.

“I do not think she did, sir.”

“Are you accustomed to hiring maids without recommendations?” asked Mr.
Burke.

“Oh, Eliza had a letter from my cousin, Mrs. Hopkins, who lives in Elmwood.”

“Is Mrs. Hopkins your cousin?” asked Kenneth.

“Yes, sir.  She were a Phibbs before she married Erastus, and my name is Phibbs.”

“What did the letter from Mrs. Hopkins say?”

“It said she knew Eliza to be a clever and worthy girl, and if I had a place for her I couldn’t do better than take her on.  So I needed a linen maid and Eliza went right to work.  Isn’t she satisfactory, sir?  Has she been doing anything wrong?”

“No.  Please do not mention this interview to her at present, Miss Phibbs,” said the detective.  “That is all, I believe.”

“Would you like to see Eliza?” asked Kenneth, when the housekeeper had retired.

“Not at present.  I want to interview Mrs. Hopkins first.”

“Tonight?” asked Tom, eagerly.

“I will go at once, with Mr. Forbes’s permission.”

“Certainly, sir,” said Kenneth.  “Shall we see you tomorrow?”

“Just as soon as I have accomplished anything.”